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© Museum Associates 2026
Collections

Censer700–900 CE

Not on view
Ceramic vessel with wide cylindrical body, modeled face in relief with round eyes, projecting nose, and open-mouthed grin, flanked by pierced tab handles

Unknown, Censer, 700–900 CE, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Gift of Dr. Milton Birnbaum, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA

Title
Censer
Culture
Maya (Quiché)
Place Made
Guatemala Highlands
Date Made
700–900 CE
Medium
Ceramic
Dimensions
22 1/2 x 20 1/2 x 16 in. (57.15 x 52.07 x 40.64 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Dr. Milton Birnbaum
Accession Number
M.84.199
Classification
Ceramics
Collecting Area
Art of the Ancient Americas
Curatorial Notes

This large brazier once held copal, a tree resin that creates great clouds of smoke when burned. Such offerings of incense served to generate the sacred environment conducive to contacting deities and ancestors.

2008

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