Stars Sign Mini Bowl & Incense Stick Holder - Taurus

• The artwork rewards a closer look. Fine gold dots scatter across the dark blue like a night sky, and the constellations are drawn in thin gold line around the bull.
• A single small hole sits at the centre of the design, right between the bull's horns, ready to hold an incense stick upright.
• Warm mango wood frames the whole bowl. The grain runs dark and amber, and each piece differs a little in tone.
• The lacquered surface is glossy and catches the light, so the blue deepens and the gold glints as the room changes through the day.
• When no incense is burning, the shallow dish keeps rings, earrings and small keepsakes together in one place.

The wooden rim is mango wood, left visibly natural so the grain shows around the edge. The painted dish inside has a glossy lacquered finish, which gives the cream and midnight-blue artwork its depth.

Stand the plain end of an incense stick in the centre hole and light the tip. Let it flame for a few seconds, then blow it out so it glows. The shallow bowl catches the ash as the stick burns down. Incense sticks usually burn for around half an hour to an hour, though this varies from stick to stick, so check the listing for the sticks you use. Burn in a ventilated space and never leave it unattended. Between uses, tip out the ash and wipe the bowl with a dry cloth to keep the lacquer bright.

Taurus is the second sign of the zodiac, represented by the bull, and in astrological tradition it is associated with steadiness, patience and a love of comfort and beautiful things. The ring of constellations around the bull nods to the twelve signs, so the bowl reads as a small piece of the whole sky with your own sign at its centre.

This suits anyone born under Taurus, or anyone who likes a little astrology on their shelf. It is small enough to tuck into a card or a gift bag, and it is useful rather than only decorative, which tends to make it a keepsake that stays on the table and gets used every day.