We recently sold this intriguing burner at our QBO storefront. About 12″ tall and made of stamped and painted steel over a wood or composite base, it is a Mabkhara (Arabic: مبخرة), an Islamic form of censure found throughout the Middle East and Turkey. Mabakhir (plural) hold the burning incense that perfumes homes during religious and/or celebratory events such as the month of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr (the feast at the end of Ramadan), and weddings. In use for centuries, the first mabakhir were clay or stone. Later versions use metal-clad wood decorated with brass and steel tacks and the most modern are sheet-metal decorated with mirrors. Some have mesh inserts to help disperse smoke and most perch on little feet to keep the heat off the tablecloth. This one has a wind-up key underneath because – surprise – it’s also a music-box!
This Mabkhara’s squared hourglass form is the traditional one – a pyramidal base, a tapered middle, and then flared out into a squared, steel-lined cup to safely hold burning incense. Mabakhir come in many sizes, from a tiny few inches to several feet tall. There are even giant versions made as outdoor public sculptures in the Saudi Arabian cities of Jeddah and Riyadh.
This particular mabakhara was made for devout Muslims as a memento of the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. On one side are swords crossed beneath a palm tree; the crest of Saudi Arabia. The green flags with the white sword are the flag of Saudi Arabia which bears the creed, “There is no deity but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God”. That creed is also The Profession of Faith (Shahada), the first of the 5 Pillars of Islam. The second pillar (Salat) is Prayer, performed every day at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and after dark, always facing Mecca. The third is Alms (Zakat) or donating to people in need. The forth is Fasting (sawm). During Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, adult Muslims go without eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset. (The medically vulnerable are exempt.) Fasting renews gratitude for all God provides and encourages empathy with the less fortunate.
The last pillar is Pilgrimage (Hajj). The hajj occurs from the 8th – 12th day of the last month of the Islamic year (Dhul Hijjah). Because the Islamic lunar calendar’s dates shift by 11 days every year relative to the Gregorian calendar, from a Western point of view the dates of the Hajj may seem to change, but actually they are fixed. Every Muslim must visit Mecca at least once in their lifetime, so hundreds of thousands from around the world make their way there every year and Mecca is depicted on this incense burner. The third side shows a mosque with a tall minaret to broadcast the call to prayer, and the last side shows the Ka’ba, a large, unique and instantly recognizable cubical structure at the center of the Haram Mosque which is covered in black embroidered hangings and is revered as the house that Ibrahim (Abraham) built for God.
Burning incense at home is a gesture of hospitality and hosts may pass the mabkhara around so guests can perfume their hands and clothing. The incense used in a mabkhara is compressed briquettes or scent-infused wood chips called Bakhoor. Musk, amber, and rose, along with frankincense, oud or sandalwood (all aromatic resins gathered from trees of the genus Boswellia, Aquilaria, and Santalum respectively), are popular scents. To ignite the chunky incense, hold a quick-light charcoal tab with tongs, light with a match and once burning, place in the incense burner. Pile bakhoor on top. Some believe angels are attracted to the scent of oud and that the aromatic smoke rising heavenward helps carry their prayers up to the Creator.
Tuesday Treasures was started by our staff member, Jeanne Lusignan. Each week she will be featuring items that have been found at our estate sales. If you would like to submit a treasure for Jeanne to feature in a future installment of “Tuesday’s Treasures”, please follow the button below and send us an email! Please attach a few photos of your treasure in a beautiful setting as well as any details you have about your item such as manufacturer, use, age, region of origin. If you don’t know about the piece, that’s okay! We still might be able to research it for you! Don’t forget to tell us what makes this item such a treasure to you!