151 - BRONZE OILLAMP INDIA 19TH CENTURY

BRONZE OILLAMP INDIA 19TH CENTURY Dimensions: Height 8 cm Wide 8 cm Depth 21 cm An unusual bronze oil lamp built around an elongated, animal-like body with a projecting snout and short supporting feet. A shallow cup rises from the rear, while a second, pointed receptacle extends forward on a slender arm. A curved connecting strut creates an airy, almost architectural silhouette, and the metal shows a muted golden-brown patina with darker spots of wear. In Indian metalwork, oil lamps often transcend their practical role as vessels for a wick and fuel. Animal forms, curving stems and multiple receptacles could turn the offering of light into a small sculptural composition. Lighting a lamp is an enduring part of domestic and temple observance, associated with auspiciousness and the dispelling of darkness. This example is distinguished by the lively balance between its zoomorphic support and the two widely spaced cups.