Censer

Unknown

6th century · Cast copper alloy · Medieval Art

Censers were swung during church services, usually by deacons, releasing the sweet perfume of the incense that burned on hot coals within the vessel. The medallions on the long chains would have made changing patterns of light and dark as the censer was moved around the altar and over the Gospels and Eucharistic vessels. The large openwork medallion at the top is decorated with a variant of the Christogram, a monogram composed of the first two letters of Christ’s name in Greek, chi (X) and rho (P).

Artist

Unknown

Date

6th century

Medium

Cast copper alloy

Culture

Byzantine

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Gift of Estate of Lawrence J. Majewski, 1999