‘Mabkhara’ - Traditional Middle Eastern Incense holders, also used in North African and East African Cultures.
In the Middle East, bakhoor, a perfumed resin presented in blocks or chips, is commonly burned. It serves the dual purpose of everyday home or clothing fragrance and is sometimes reserved for special occasions such as weddings when in its more expensive form. The burning process takes place in a mabkhara, traditionally crafted from materials like clay or stone, but more recently fashioned from metal. These incense burners typically feature a square base supporting a square or triangular cup.
‘These photos are a culmination of work I completed during my internship at The Digs in Chicago, as well as The Painted Pot workshop’