Stars Sign Mini Bowl & Incense Stick Holder - Gemini

• The glossy lacquer catches the light across the blue and gold, so the artwork shifts as you move past it.
• Two swallows meet in the centre, ringed by a pale band of star-chart lines and fine gold dots at the edge.
• The mango wood frames it all in a rich honey-to-chestnut grain, so the warm tone and pattern vary a little from bowl to bowl.
• The shallow dish is deep enough to hold a few rings or small studs without them sliding about.
• A single small hole in the middle keeps an incense stick upright and lets the ash fall into the bowl.

The body is mango wood, a dense hardwood with a lively grain, finished with a glossy lacquer over the painted centre. Dark blue, white and gold is a familiar palette for star charts, and here it gives a small object the feel of an old night-sky map. It was made in India.

Stand an incense stick in the central hole, light the tip, let it flame for a few seconds, then blow it out so it glows and releases its smoke. Incense sticks usually burn for around 30 to 60 minutes, though this varies by stick, so check the listing for your chosen incense. Burn in a ventilated space, never unattended, and let the ash cool before tipping it away. Wipe the bowl with a soft, dry cloth, and keep it away from standing water, as lacquered wood dislikes soaking. Incense is sold separately.

Gemini is the third sign of the zodiac, traditionally associated with curiosity, conversation and quick thinking. Its pair of twins finds an echo in the two swallows facing one another in the centre of the bowl, a gentle nod to the sign's doubled nature. Birds in flight have long been used as symbols of movement and returning, which suits a piece meant for keeping close the things you reach for each day.

You receive one mini bowl and incense stick holder in mango wood with a lacquered, hand-painted-style celestial centre. No incense, rings or jewellery are included. Each piece varies slightly in grain and colour, as is natural with wood.

It suits anyone born under Gemini, and anyone who likes a star-sign keepsake that earns its place on a shelf. It is a gift with two uses, a holder for incense on quiet evenings and a catch-all for the small things that otherwise go missing.