Copper something?

Looking for help identifying this item. I think it’s some type of incense burner, but I’m probably off. Size is about 3 1/2" tall and round plate is 4 1/2" in diameter.

Thanks in advance
J hern

 

Welcome here, jhern...you're in good company!

You don't indicate any dimensions, but it appears to be a small charcoal burner, perhaps for heating water for tea, and/or as a hand-warmer.

It doesn't look Asian but could be I suppose, especially if newer. Copper & cast-iron...perhaps European? Mid to late 20th C?

 

Size?

 

Thank you for the welcome. Just added the dimension. Its about 3 1/2" tall by 4 1/2" in diameter

 

warming plate........ imo

 

As jhern - my first thought was incense burner, with the decorative lid missing (resin based incense granules, which require charcoal tablets ) - 'lock in A'

Resin incense is incense in it's most pure and natural form. Resins are harvested from the sap, bark roots or wood of trees, shrubs and plants. Frankincense, Myrrh, Benzoin, Copal, Dragon's Blood, Palo Santo, and Styrax are among the most well know resins and often times the building blocks for aromatic resin incense blends.

There are many techniques for burning resin incense, this is just one of many. Resins will not burn on their own, at minimum they require charcoal tablets and a charcoal incense burner.

1. Fill your charcoal burner 3/4 full with sand or rocks to absorb some of the heat. Then place your burner on a heat resistant surface, such as a ceramic coaster or tile, as the bottom of the burner will become very hot and may result in damage to your surface.
2. Using tongs to hold the charcoal tablet, light it following the instructions provided with your charcoal. Place the hot charcoal onto the screen / grate. Allow the charcoal 5-15 minutes to fully come to temperature indicated by a layer of ash forming on the tablet.
3. Using a metal spoon, add a very small amount of resin on top of the hot charcoal releasing the fragrant incense smoke. Repeat as desired until the charcoal is exhausted.
4. When finished, allow the charcoal to completely cool in the burner before discarding. When in doubt, dowse it with water.

 

A small réchaud, or warming plate, as komo and whit said.
Given the size it was probably for a teapot. It looks like it could have been part of a set with a matching copper teapot.
Those cute feet look 1900ish, and yes, it could have been made in Europe.

 

"Wunh-wunh"

 

Still, you managed to list almost every type of resin used in ritual, no mean feat.