Rectangular Limestone Censer

The Rectangular Limestone Censer is an archaeological artifact made of bright, finely polished limestone. It was discovered among a collection of findings from the archaeological Qaryat al-Faw, located southeast of Wadi ad-Dawasir Governorate in Riyadh Province, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The rectangular limestone censer has a square, elevated base with a rough surface and a large basin whose dimensions exceed those of the base, extending outward along its edges. The base's bottom and the basin's edges display medium-sized dents resulting from impacts with hard objects. On the outer surface of the basin walls, there are two vertically carved friezes, each containing four vertical friezes separated by three horizontal bands of raised carving. Between each band, there is a horizontal groove. In the center, a wide vertical frieze appears. At the top, it is carved, with a facing-upward crescent shape in intaglio at its center, with a raised circle in the middle. Below, it is solid, separated from the lower edge of the basin by a horizontal carved band that ends with the two vertically carved friezes.

Length: 12.5 cm.

Width: 10.5 cm.

Height: 22.5 cm.

The limestone censer dates back to the period between the third century BCE and the third century CE and was used for burning large quantities of incense.

The limestone censer is preserved at the Museum of the Department of Archaeology at King Saud University in Riyadh. It was previously part of a collection of archaeological discoveries from Saudi Arabia that participated in the Saudi Archeological Masterpieces Through the Ages Exhibition, whose first edition was held at the Louvre Museum in Paris in 2010. The discovery of the limestone censer is among the results of archaeological survey and excavation efforts conducted by the antiquities and museums sector in Saudi Arabia over the years, as well as the findings of Saudi archaeologists and scientific expeditions. It is registered under number 255 F 8.

This type of large censer is used for burning large quantities of incense. It is often adorned with decorative elements inspired by the artist's daily visual observations, drawing inspiration from architecture, such as illusionary windows.