Censers and incense burners

The function of both censers and incense burners has always been the same. Their adornments are in the same decorative style, and their symbols are identical. The only difference between them is that the censers hang on a chain on which they are balanced, while the incense burners are either in a static position, or have special handles to be carried. Either myrtle or incense is burnt in them.

The Romanian censers and incense burners are made in simple or elaborate forms, wrought in golden silver, richly decorated in a multitude of techniques, with geometrical, floral, zoomorphic and antropomorphic motifs, with biblical symbols, figures, and scenes. Their artistic value is most of the times outstanding. Putna Monastery houses the masterpiece of the whole Romanian medieval silverwork: the monumental censer given by Stephen the Great to Putna Monastery in 1470. This censer, marked with the voivode’s coat of arms, is typical of the Gothic-Byzantine synthesis which was accomplished in the age of Stephen the Great. The other censers at Putna, as well as an incense burner, are form the 18th century.


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