Editing Censer (section)

{{short description|Vessel for burning incense or perfume}}
{{distinguish|Censor (disambiguation){{!}}Censor|Censure|Senser|Sensor}}
[[File:Botafumeiro.JPG|thumb|Catholic [[thurible]] or chain censer, designed for swinging]]
[[File:Censer LACMA M.2011.157.2a-b (3 of 5).jpg|thumb|Censer from Tibet, late 19th century, silver]]

A '''censer''', '''incense burner''', '''perfume burner''' or '''pastille burner''' is a vessel made for burning [[incense]] or perfume in some solid form. They vary greatly in size, form, and material of construction, and have been in use since ancient times throughout the world. They may consist of simple [[earthenware]] bowls or [[fire pot]]s to intricately carved [[silver]] or [[gold]] vessels, small table top objects a few centimetres tall to as many as several metres high. Many designs use [[openwork]] to allow a flow of air. In many cultures, burning [[incense]] has [[spirituality|spiritual]] and [[religious]] connotations, and this influences the design and decoration of the censer.

Often, especially in Western contexts, the term "censer" is used for pieces made for religious use, especially those on chains that are swung through the air to spread the incense smoke widely, while the term "perfume burner" is used for objects made for secular use.  The original meaning of [[pastille]] was a small compressed mixture of aromatic plant material and charcoal that was lit to release the odour, and pastille-burners were designed for this, for use in the home. Pastilles were made at home until their heyday in the early 19th century, and the burners are often made in ceramic.<ref>[https://regencyredingote.wordpress.com/2013/10/11/pastille-burners-regency-glade/ The Regency Redingote], October, 2013</ref>

Some types could also be used as [[pomander]]s, where the perfume diffuses slowly by evaporation rather than burning.<ref>Piotrovsky M.B. and Rogers, J.M. (eds), ''Heaven on Earth: Art from Islamic Lands'', p. 87, 2004, Prestel, {{ISBN|3791330551}}</ref>