Ghost Incense Holders

Every ghost here is pinched from a slab by hand, so the sheet folds a little differently each time, and the face goes on last — once the form has decided what expression it wants. Some come out smiling, some sulking, one or two with a cat on the shoulder.

The ash dish is sunk into the base rather than stuck on top, which is the part that keeps ash off the shelf. They take standard incense sticks, and many double as tea light holders. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Shop by Shape

• Classic ghost incense burners — the original sheet-and-face form, in matte and shiny glazes
• Witch hat and devil ghosts — the same ghost with a bit more trouble in it
• Ghost and cat — a cat perched on the shoulder, for people who collect both
• Christmas ghosts — Santa hats and winter glazes, so the shape earns its shelf space past October
• Ghost tea light holders — the same body cut for a tea light instead of a stick; our best-selling piece

Why a Ghost and Not a Dish

An incense holder burns for twenty minutes and then sits on a shelf for the rest of the day. That is the real job: being looked at. A plain wooden plank with a hole in it does the burning part and nothing else. A ghost with an opinion on its face does both, which is also why these end up given as gifts more often than they are bought for oneself.

Ghost Incense Holder FAQ

Does it fit standard incense sticks?

Yes. The hole is drilled for standard-diameter incense sticks before the first firing, and the stick sits at an angle so the ash falls into the dish rather than past it.

Can I use it as a tea light holder instead?

Many of these take a standard tea light in the same recess. Each listing says which. If you want a piece that does both, look for the ghost tea light holders in the list above.

Is it safe to burn incense in a ceramic holder?

Ceramic is the right material for it — it is kiln-fired well above any temperature incense reaches. As with any burning item, set it on a heat-safe surface away from curtains and drafts, and do not leave it unattended. Let it cool fully before you handle or clean it.

How do I clean the ash out?

Once cool, brush the dish out with a soft dry brush and wipe with a damp cloth. Avoid abrasive scourers — they dull the glaze over time.

Will mine look exactly like the photo?

Close, but not identical. Each ghost is pinched, painted, glazed and fired individually in our atelier in Çanakkale, Turkey. The fold of the sheet and the line of the face are drawn by hand every time, which is the whole point of a handmade piece — and why the one that arrives is not quite like any other.

Is this a good Halloween gift?

It is the one we are asked for most in October, and the reason it keeps selling in January is that a ghost reads as cute rather than seasonal once the pumpkins are gone. If you want it to arrive for Halloween, order early: each piece is made after you order it.

Do you do these for wholesale?

Yes — from 10 pieces per design, with custom glaze colourways available. See our wholesale page for minimums and lead times.

More to Explore

Ghosts are one shape among several. The full range of funny incense holders also takes in a frog on a leaf, cats mid-mischief, witch hats and a haunted house, plus plain minimal forms for anyone who wants the smoke without the face. For candles rather than incense, see our candle holders, and for the wider spooky line, Halloween.