Lion Paw Shell incense burner

A genuine shell, about five inches across. The ridged fan shape of a lion paw scallop, natural and unpolished.

A deep, sturdy cup. Holds incense cones or small smudge bundles, and catches falling ash and ember as they burn.

No two alike. As a natural shell, shape, color, and size vary from piece to piece.

• Material: genuine lion paw shell
• Size: approximately five by five inches
• Compatible with: incense cones, small smudge bundles, and resin on a charcoal disc over sand
• Note: as a natural shell, shape, color, and size vary from piece to piece
• SKU: IB004

Shells have served as vessels for sacred smoke and offerings for thousands of years, and their origin in the sea links them, in the Western craft, to the element of Water: to emotion, intuition, and cleansing. A shell makes a natural cup for smoke work, catching the ash as you move through a space.

The shell carries no power of its own, and we would rather not pretend otherwise. What it does is hold the fire safely and put something the sea made at the center of your practice, which is a good enough reason on its own.

1. Rest the shell on a heat-safe surface; it will get warm underneath.
2. For a cone or small bundle, light the tip, let it flame briefly, then blow it out so it smolders, and set it in the shell.
3. For loose resin, lay a thin layer of sand in the cup, set a lit charcoal disc on the sand, and add a pinch of resin.
4. Never leave burning incense or charcoal unattended, and keep it clear of drafts and anything flammable.
5. Let everything cool fully before clearing the ash, then wipe the shell with a soft cloth.

• White Sage Smudge Stick: a bundle sized to smolder in the shell.
• Frankincense Resin Tears, 1 oz: resin to burn on charcoal over sand.
• Myrrh Resin Incense, 1 oz: the other temple resin.
• Copal Resin Incense, 1 oz: a bright resin for cleansing.
• Frankincense Palo Santo Dip Sticks, Set of 25: dip sticks to rest in the cup.

What can I burn in it?

Incense cones and small smudge bundles rest in the shell directly. Loose resin works on a charcoal disc set over a thin layer of sand, which protects the shell from the heat.

Why does my shell look different from the photo?

Each shell is a natural object, so the color, ridging, shape, and exact size vary from one to the next.

How big is it?

About five inches across, a generous size for cones, bundles, and resin work.

Does the shell mean anything?

In the Western craft, shells are associated with the element of Water and with cleansing and intuition, by way of the sea. The shell itself is a vessel rather than a working.

How do I clean it?

Let it cool, tip out the ash, and wipe gently with a soft cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals and prolonged direct heat.