A BYZANTINE BRONZE AND GLASS HANGING CENSER. Circa 5th-6th century A.D. H. 40 cm Provenance Formerly, private collection A.K., Switzerland, collected prior 1971 Then by descent Estate of a European Ancient Dealer,, acquired in December 2011 Then by descent by succession Censer composed of a conical bowl suspended by three small chains attached at the top. Colorless glass and bronze. Christian faith was central to Byzantine life and united the many people who made up the Empire. Incense burners, such as this, would have been swung at different parts of the liturgy to symbolize the prayers of the church-goers rising up to heaven like the smoke of the incense. For Swiss buyers, VAT applies to the hammer price and buyer's premium (only for the lots with the * mention).