Backflow Incense Cones

Hollow incense cones that send their smoke downward instead of up.

A backflow cone is drilled through the centre, so as it burns the smoke is drawn down through the hollow and out of the base, where it pours over the burner beneath like slow water. Incense has long been burned in Chinese homes to mark the edge between the working day and the evening, and to clear a room before guests or before sitting down to practise. These are the cones for the pouring kind of burner, not for a stick holder.

Nine scents, each cone coloured to match its bag: sandalwood and agarwood for the temple notes, rose, jasmine, lily and lavender for the floral ones, mugwort for something greener, forest for a resinous mix, and a mixed bag if you want to try them all. Twenty cones to a resealable kraft bag. Burner not included.

Placement: burn only on a backflow burner set on a heat-proof surface, out of any draught, or the smoke will not fall.