A BRONZE OIL LAMP DEPICTING GAJALAKSHMI WITH ELEPHANTS, SOUTH INDIA, KERALA, 15TH-17TH CENTURY Finely cast, the deep circular oil basin with a triangular outcropping, encircled by beaded decoration, supporting an arched backplate depicting a seated Lakshmi flanked by trumpeting elephants, below a central kirtimukha. The bronze with a fine, naturally grown patina with cuprite and malachite encrustations. Provenance: The Connemara Hotel Gallery, Madras, India, c. 1985. Collection Particulière Française, acquired from the above. The Connemara Hotel is the Grande Dame of the Madras hospitality scene. Named after Lord Connemara, Governor of Madras from 1886 - 1890, the hotel as it stands today is an Art Deco building completed in 1937. After India gained its independence from the British, the hotel management refurbished the premises, with the important Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa responsible for the interior design. Condition: Good condition with old wear, minor casting irregularities, small nicks, minor dents, light scratches, minuscule losses, encrustations. Weight: 457.9 g Dimensions: Height 13.1 cm The iconography of Lakshmi being bathed by elephants is derived from the story of the sea of milk being churned by the gods (devas) and demons (rakshas) to discover all its gifts. In addition to potions of immortality, the churning also produced other heavenly gifts, including a wish-granting horse and the Apsara damsels. Lakshmi also appeared, causing singing and dancing among the celestial beings and elephants to sprinkle her with holy water, thus giving her the second name Gajalakshmi. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related oil lamp stand with a depiction of Rama, Lakshmana, and Hanuman, 32.5 cm high, dated 16th-17th century, in the British Museum, registration number 1824,0414.7. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s New York, 20 September 2006, lot 75 Price: USD 7,200 or approx. EUR 9,800 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A bronze oil lamp, Travancore, circa 15th century Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject. Note the size (30 cm).