This type of incense burner, known as the
western example, was already known in the
Coptic and early Islamic periods. It reveals the
most important characteristics of these western
types. The cylindrical body and the domical lid
have extensive openwork decoration, which
appear to be one of their dominant features. The
handle is left undecorated.
Highly scented incense was a valuable
commodity in the Islamic World, and has been
since ancient times, when caravan laden with
incense and other precious items travelled across
Arabia.
the Incense Route was a series of major trading
routes stretching across Egypt to India, and
through Arabia. The incense trade flourished
from South Arabia to the Mediterranean between
the 3rd century BC to the 2nd century BC. The
Incense Route served as a channel for trading
goods such as Arabian frankincense and myrrh,
Indian spices, ebony, silk, and fine textiles; and
East African rare woods, feathers, animal skin
and gold.
