NARRATOR: This round object is a combination of technical wizardry and sensual delight.

ELLEN KENNY: What we see here is actually an incense burner; at least we think that it is. It's two hemispheres hinged together. Inside of… this ball we have a little metal dish, and that dish is attached to a series of metal… gyroscopic discs that are holding it in place so that when this ball is tipped in one direction or another - or possibly even rolled around - the contents of that dish will not be overturned. The calligraphic bands are providing us with a list of epithets and praise, sort of the glory to our sovereign, and the king, and the victorious, the triumphant…. We're not absolutely certain who this was praising. But it was quite common actually to have objects on which there were inscriptions full of these kinds of phrases without actually naming a specific person after them. Any important reception with a ruler would be proceeded by wafting the guest with incense.