(a) Censer; Afarghan-censer; German silver; alloy of copper, zinc, nickel (3:1:1); hammered; pedestal base, narrow waist, flaring rim; H. 29.5 cm., Diameter 23.5 cm.; (b) tray; iron; (badly rusted); circular; fits on top of (a) to hold burning sandalwood and incense; diameter 22.75 cm., H. 2.75 cm. Made by Parsi metalsmiths--Pestonji Jehangirji. A smaller version of the large agarghan in the sanctum sanctrum of a Zoroastrian fire temple, this specimen would be used for domestic religious ceremonies or in the fire temple during the annual month long commemorative services for the dead which take place in August before the New Year. Families commission prayers for their dead, providing their own ceremonial vessels, generally inscribed, as this on is, with their name. The top and bottom of the afarghan are bolted together to permit easy cleaning. Sold in shops dealing in Parsi ritual and ceremonial utensils.
Donor:
Framroze Byramjee Panthaki and Mr. Noshir Erani
Collection place:
Mumbai (Bombay), Maharashtra State, India
Culture or time period:
Parsi
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Censers (ceremonial containers) and Censers (incense burners)
Function:
5.1 Religion and Divination: Objects and garb associated with practices reflecting submission, devotion, obedience, and service to supernatural agencies