--- title: Hexagonal Censer from the Cyprus Treasure author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5769/hexagonal-censer-from-the-cyprus-treasure/ format: machine-readable-alternate updated: 1970-01-01 --- # Hexagonal Censer from the Cyprus Treasure _Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_ ## Image File [![Hexagonal Censer from the Cyprus Treasure](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/5769.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/5769.jpg) ## Image Caption Censers were used for burning incense, which was a popular religious rite in eastern Christian churches. This one would have been suspended on chains, threaded through the holes in the plaques attached to the rim. Each side is decorated with the head and shoulders of figures shown with halos. These represent Christ, flanked by the saints Peter and [Paul](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Paul/), and the [Virgin Mary](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mary,_Mother_of_Jesus/) between Saints John and James. Part of the [Cyprus](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyprus/) Treasure. At the end of 1800s CE, villagers recovered a remarkable hoard of [Byzantine](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Byzantine/) [silver](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silver/) while quarrying stone from the ancient ruins of Lambousa, a town on the north coast of Cyprus. The hoard was found near the Acheripoetos Monastery, which was built on the site of an earlier Christian church from 500s CE. The pieces in the Cyprus Treasure may have originally belonged to this church. Circa 602-610 CE. Made in [Constantinople](https://www.worldhistory.org/Constantinople/), modern-day Istanbul, [Turkey](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/); found at Acheripoetos Monastery, Kyrenia, modern-day Nicosia, Cyprus. (The British Museum, London). #### Editorial Review This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## About the Author Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world. - [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/MRCPian) - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/osama-shukir-muhammed-amin/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Amin, O. S. M. (2016, September 29). Hexagonal Censer from the Cyprus Treasure. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Hexagonal Censer from the Cyprus Treasure." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 29, 2016. . ### MLA Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Hexagonal Censer from the Cyprus Treasure." *World History Encyclopedia*, 29 Sep 2016, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 29 September 2016. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.