Details

LOT 1934

South East Asian Bronze Tiered Oil Lamp with Finial

CIRCA 13TH CENTURY A.D.

6 1/8 in. (302 grams, 15.5 cm).

With tiered lotus-flower base and balustered stem, a plain cup with raised rims to the centre of the stem, tiered finial with conical top, facetted conical knop above; the base with remains of lead and iron filling. [No Reserve]

Provenance

Acquired from various sources within the UK.
Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.

Literature

Cf. Pospíšilova, D., ‘Deepa.Oil lamps.Indian metal objects from the collection of the Náprstek Museum, Prague, Czech Republic’ in Annals of the Náprstek Museum 28, Prague, 2007, pp.37-77, plate no.3, for the type.

Footnotes

Our specimen is probably a votive temple lamp. From the beginning, temples were centres of inspiration for the production of lamps in a variety of designs. Temple lamps played an important role in temple rituals. Rich people used to give donations of both money and land to craftsmen, who could then devote much of their time to producing such pieces of art.