Empire Urn Incense Burner with Gilt Ormolu Mounts & Scrolled Tripod Base

Design & Inspiration

Place this piece on a side table in a formal reception room and it immediately establishes a register of ceremony. The urn silhouette — a deep wine-red ceramic body rising from a narrow waist to a wide-lipped cup — is drawn from the classical krater form that European designers of the Empire period elevated into a defining motif of interior luxury. The perforated gilt lid allows fragrant smoke to curl upward in a controlled column, exactly as it would have in the private apartments of a Napoleonic-era palace.

Materials & Craftsmanship

The body is cast in deep wine-glazed ceramic, its surface lightly ribbed to catch the light and give visual depth to the rich burgundy glaze. Against it, the polished brass ormolu mounts assert themselves with authority: a band of foliate scroll ornament encircles the neck, swaged garland drops hang from lion-mask ring handles, and paired acorn finials crown the lid and the four corner posts. The tripod base — three scrolled acanthus legs joined by a pierced foliate apron — lifts the piece off the surface and gives it the raised, altar-like presence that Empire designers intended. Each brass element is cast, chased, and finished by hand at our Cairo workshop.

Dimensions & Details

Weight: 4.0 kg. Dimensions: N/A. The piece is supplied with a perforated inner burner cup for use with incense chips or resin granules. Available in multiple brass finishes.

Handcrafted in Egypt

Every Brass & Wood incense burner is produced in our Cairo atelier by craftsmen who combine traditional metalworking techniques with careful study of European decorative arts. The brass mounts are individually cast and hand-finished; the ceramic body is kiln-fired and hand-glazed. This is not a mass-produced object — it is a handcrafted piece made to be handled, admired, and used daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials is this incense burner made from?

The body is deep wine-glazed ceramic. All mounts, handles, finials, lid fittings, and the tripod base are cast brass, hand-finished in your choice of brass color (Gold, Antique Gold, or Silver).

Is assembly required?

Minimal assembly is required — the lid, burner insert, and tripod base are fitted together without tools. The process takes under two minutes.

Can this incense burner be customized?

Yes. The brass finish is available in Gold, Antique Gold, and Silver. Contact our team via Brass & Wood to discuss further customization options.