Censer

Art Historical Context

This exquisite 13th-century censer, crafted from copper alloy by an unknown German artisan, stands as a testament to the refined metalworking traditions of medieval Europe. Measuring just 9 x 3⅝ inches, its compact form belies its ritual importance, designed to hold and swing burning incense during religious ceremonies. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Medieval department (acquired via the Rogers Fund in 1909), it the era's ecclesiastical metalwork, where durable alloys like copper were favored for their malleability and resistance to heat. In the vibrant Gothic period of 13th-centu...