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From Citizendium, the Citizens' Compendium

Acerra (Greek: λιβανωτρίς) was an incense box used in sacrifices in Ancient Rome (Horace, Carmina, III8.2; Vergilius, Aenid, V. 745).

The incense was taken out of the acerra and let fall upon the burning altar; hence, we have the expression de acerra libare (Ovid, Epis. ex Ponto IV.8.39; Persius, Satura II.5, see also Turibulum). According to Festus the acerra was also a small altar, placed before the dead, on which perfumes were burnt. A law in the Twelve Tables restricted the use of acerrae at funerals (Cicero, de legibus XXIV.60).

Sources

• Smith, W. (1878). A dictionary of Greek and Roman antiquities. London: J. Murray, a work that is now in the public domain.