Incense burner

T L

ca. 1675 · Silver · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Scent was an important feature of grand European households in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Foul-smelling air was associated with the spread of disease, so scented waters, fresh flowers, pot-pourris, and perfume burners were used to improve the atmosphere. A perfume burner like this one emitted the smoke of a pastille made from ingredients like rosewater, myrtle, and orange, which burned gently over a charcoal fire.

Artist

T L

Date

ca. 1675

Medium

Silver

Culture

British, London

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of Irwin Untermyer, 1968