Bidspirit auction | A Pair of Cast Brass

A Pair of Cast Brass Orthodox Pedestal Incense Burners - A pair of small, table-standing ecclesiastical incense burners, or censers, of typical Orthodox design. Each vessel is cast in brass with a chalice-form body supported by a flared, stepped circular base. The bases feature simple incised concentric ring and gadrooned decoration. The hinged, domed lids are perforated with circular ventilation holes and are surmounted by cross finials of differing designs: one features a solid flared cross, while the other bears a pierced cross characteristic of Ethiopian or Coptic Orthodox metalwork. Each censer is equipped with a decorative C-scroll handle integrated into the hinge mechanism. The components are joined by a central threaded iron rod and nut assembly visible on the undersides. The base of one burner (image 5) shows faint, impressed characters near the outer rim; an S and possibly a V are distinguishable, but the remaining characters are worn and not legible as a name. The interior basins and inside of the lids show significant carbon buildup and oxidation consistent with functional use. Height: Approximately 6.75 inches (to top of finial). The burners are in used, functional condition. Both units exhibit heavy carbon residue and darkening in the interior basins and inside the lids from incense combustion (image 2). The exterior brass surfaces show a dull, aged patina with minor surface scratches, pitting, and small spots of green verdigris oxidation throughout (image 1, 3). The central iron mounting hardware at the base shows significant corrosion and rust (image 4). There are small casting irregularities and flaws visible on the cross finials (image 1).