Neoclassical Urn Incense Burner — Fluted Crystal & Gilt Brass with Garland Mounts

Design & Inspiration

Place this piece on a console, a mantelpiece, or a reception table and the room immediately orients itself around it. The form is unmistakably Louis XVI — a tall baluster urn in fluted smoky-blue crystal, caged and crowned by gilt brass mounts that recall the finest Parisian ormolu work of the 1770s. The silhouette rises from an openwork acanthus tripod base, narrows through a ribbed crystal stem, swells into the body of the urn, and terminates in three upright pinecone finials flanking a lidded brass collar. Every transition is intentional: the designers of this era believed ornament should explain structure, not merely decorate it.

Materials & Craftsmanship

The body is cast in fluted crystal with a cool slate-blue tint that shifts between grey and cobalt depending on the light — a deliberate choice that makes the gilt brass appear warmer by contrast. The brass mounts are cast and hand-finished: the swagged garland draped across the urn's shoulder is modeled with individual petals and leaf forms; the tripod base features pierced scrollwork panels between three acanthus-capped legs that curl outward on scroll feet. The lidded collar at the top is engraved with a running foliate band — the kind of detail that only becomes visible when you lean in close. This is handcrafted in Egypt by artisans working in the tradition of European decorative metalwork, with each brass element finished individually before assembly.

Dimensions & Details

Weighing 4 kg, this incense burner has the physical presence to anchor a surface without dominating it. The combination of crystal and gilt brass ensures it reads clearly across a room while rewarding close inspection with its layered ornamental detail. Available in multiple brass finish variants to coordinate with existing metalwork in your interior.

Handcrafted in Egypt

Every piece bearing the Brass & Wood name is produced in Egypt by craftsmen who combine traditional metalworking and glassworking disciplines. The brass components are cast, filed, and finished by hand; the crystal body is shaped and fitted individually. No two pieces are identical — minor variations in the crystal tint and the hand-finishing of the brass mounts are characteristic of genuine handcraft. This is not factory production: it is the faithful reproduction of a European decorative tradition, made with care in Cairo.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials is this incense burner made from?

The body is fluted crystal with a smoky blue tint. All mounts, the tripod base, the garland, the finials, and the lidded collar are cast gilt brass, hand-finished to a warm gold tone. The piece weighs 4 kg.

Is assembly required?

Minimal assembly is required — the tripod base and the upper lid section are fitted together without tools. Full instructions are included.

Can this be customized?

Yes. Brass finish variants are available (Gold, Antique Gold, Silver). For custom orders or bespoke finish requests, contact Brass & Wood directly through the product page.