The Almoravid censer

The Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife announces the Piece of the Month, the Almoravid censer.  Those who are interested in participating in this free programme, which will take place from 12 a.m. every Saturday in October, may go to Hall III of the Museum of the Alhambra, where the Art Historian, Cecilia Puy López, will explain the particular features of this unique piece. She will also give details about the commercial relationships between the Hispano-Muslim and Christian culture, taking this particular piece as an example.

This censer dating back to Almoravid times and discovered in the Convent of Our Lady of Mercy in Madrid, provides very interesting data about the influence of fashion and commerce between the Hispano-Muslim and the Christian workshops that carried out work for their fellow citizens and even made pieces for Christian cult.

The censer consists of three elements, all cast on sand. The base, used as a bowl for the incense, has an epigraphic band engraved with Kufic lettering, which allows us to date the object at the beginning of the 12th century.

The inscription encircles the bowl and says ‘A full blessing, prosperity and glory. A full blessing and glory. Blessing’.

When: Saturdays (October), noon
Where: Room III, Museum of the Alhambra, Palace of Carlos V