Marble Incense Burner in the Getty Villa, July 2008

Incense Burner
Unknown
Greek, South Italy or Sicily, 400 - 300 B.C.
Marble
9 in.
95.AA.59

Thymiateria were used in antiquity to burn incense during religious rituals such as sacrifices or offerings to the gods. Carved from marble, this thymiaterion is composed of three parts: a stemmed foot, a deep receptacle, and a lid. The deep bowl, which would have held a large amount of costly incense, rests on the spreading tray-like top of the tall foot. The lip of the bowl is scored along the edges to suggest an organic plant pattern. The same pattern is repeated on the domed lid, which is decorated with small ridges and perforated at regular intervals to allow the scented smoke to escape. The top of the lid is flat and undecorated, but originally, a separately-made finial may have been attached. The sharp-edged, angular form of the thymiaterion with its decorative ridges imitates metal vessels. Traces of red paint remain on the foot and lid suggesting that the thymiaterion was originally brightly painted. A yellowish, shiny, resin-like staining on the interior of the lid indicates that this incense burner was actually used and not just a display piece.

Text from: www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=38154