AN UMAYYAD BRONZE CENSER, CIRCA 8TH-9TH CENTURY AD

An early Umayyad censer in bronze in the form of a domed arched building. This very interesting object shows the transformation of Byzantine objects and their adaption by the Umayyads. The censer itself is of a type directly copied from Byzantine prototypes but subtly adapted. The use of simple open work elements stands in contrast to the used of scrolls and sometimes figurative types. Likewise the treatment of the openwork base is very much in line with early Islamic metalwork. Finally the feet have a very close similarity with the lion headed bronze feet seen in Umayyad Spain which are attached to larger bronze vessels. At the top of the dome is a stepped mount for an element, upon the hinged dome, which might have been a cross if the censer was to be used by Coptic Christian or possibly a globe if it was indeed for use in a mosque.
Height: 18 cm.
19.5 by 10.5 cm.
Umayyad or Coptic 8/9th.century AD.

PROVENANCE
Private collection, Germany