Cast Iron Cauldron with Triple Moon 6 × 10 cm

• The surface is matte black with a fine, slightly rough grain, the kind of finish that looks at home beside candles and stones.
• The triple moon sits at the front of the body: a full moon flanked by a waxing and a waning crescent, raised just enough to catch the light and the fingertip.
• Two small loop handles sit either side of the rim, with a movable arched handle above, so it can be lifted or hung as well as set down.
• Three splayed legs keep it steady on a flat surface and lift the belly off whatever it rests on.
• The lid sits loosely in place and lifts away with its knob, leaving a wide opening to see into.

Iron is dense and holds heat for a long time, which is why cast iron has been used for cauldrons and cooking pots for centuries. It is a heavier, more substantial material than the brass or ceramic bowls you often see on altars. Left untreated, it keeps its dark, slightly rough character and, like all iron, will mark if left damp.

The cauldron is made to sit on an altar or in a space set aside for ritual, and it can be used for burning incense, dried herbs or similar materials. It also works as a plain holder: a few tumbled stones, a candle stub, a handful of dried flowers, or nothing at all, simply a dark, round shape with a moon on it.

The triple moon is a modern symbol of the moon's phases: waxing, full and waning. It is closely tied to Wiccan and neopagan practice, where it is read as a symbol of the lunar cycle and of the maiden, mother and crone. Here it is the visual centre of the piece, a quiet reminder of the moon's calendar, and a natural companion to practices that follow its phases.

When incense or herbs are burned inside, the vessel becomes very hot. Always stand it on a heat-resistant surface and handle it with care, using the arched handle only once it has cooled. Filling the base with a layer of non-flammable material, such as sand, is a sensible way to protect the surface beneath the burning material and to keep embers contained. Keep the iron dry and wipe it with a dry cloth, since moisture will mark it over time.

The cauldron measures 6 × 10 cm. It is made of cast iron, with a lid, an arched carrying handle and three legs. It comes from India.

It suits someone who keeps an altar, follows the phases of the moon, or likes objects with a little symbolism built into them. Small, weighty and unfussy, it is a gift that looks right placed among candles and stones.