Cermonial incense burner 12th-15th century

This ceremonial incense burner was crafted by the Mixtec people. Its three legs elevate a bowl perforated with openings, signifying both the earthly and spiritual realms. Consider the symbol of the rising smoke: it is a motif found across cultures, from ancient Egyptian offerings to the Greek practice of libation. It represents not only a connection to the divine but also the transformation of matter into spirit, engaging deeply with our subconscious understanding of mortality and transcendence. This act of transformation through smoke is a constant throughout time. Notice how the smoke carries prayers and connects the earthly with the celestial. This cyclical progression has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings across diverse historical contexts.