A censer is a small brass-metal dish used for burning incense. A common design is a metal container, about the size and shape of a small coffee-pot. The bowl contains hot coals, and the incense is placed on top of these. This censer has been decorated with enamel floral design. 

To the Christians, burning incense represents the prayers of the faithful rising towards Heaven as a sweet smelling spiritual fragrance. One commonly sung psalm during the censing is "Let my prayer rise like incense before You, the lifting up of my hands like the evening sacrifice." Some Orthodox Christians use a standing censer on their home altars.