This item is a traditional Middle Eastern ceramic incense burner (commonly known as a mabkhara or clay candle lantern) featuring star and crescent moon cutouts. These handmade terracotta pieces are highly popular across the Gulf region—particularly in traditional markets like the Nizwa Souq in Oman—and are used both for burning fragrant bakhoor or frankincense and as decorative ambient tea-light holders.
Functional Details
Design Purpose: The star and crescent cutouts allow smoke from incense or light from a candle to vent elegantly, casting themed patterns onto surrounding walls.
Structure: This is typically a two-piece set consisting of a hollow, decorated dome top that sits over a small matching ceramic base plate where the charcoal or candle is placed.