18th C. Sri Lankan Brass Oil Lamp w/ Makara Spout
South Asia, Sri Lanka, ca. 18th to 19th century CE. This is a finely cast-brass oil lamp, made from two separate pieces featuring a mythical makara head! The large hollow reservoir chamber is a baluster shaped, like a Buddhist stupa, with several rings that taper upward to a ring finial to suspend from a chain. The baluster reservoir has a threaded base that twists flush into the lower foot, connecting and feeding oil into the spout that would have contained the wick. The spout neck is in the form of a mythical makara, a dragon-like creature - the horned head has an open mouth from which the opening for the wick spout protrudes. A concave foot supports the magnificent and elegant ensemble, and a dark patina covers the surface throughout. Size: 4" W x 6.5" H (10.2 cm x 16.5 cm)
Provenance: private Corpus Christi, Texas, USA estate collection, acquired 1960s to 1970s
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#165350
Condition Report: Loss to threaded joint area, but not visible when connected and does not affect overall presentation or stability. Surface abrasions from age and use. Dark patina and mineral deposits throughout. Earthen deposits within spout. Old inventory number written on base surface.
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South Asia, Sri Lanka, ca. 18th to 19th century CE. This is a finely cast-brass oil lamp, made from two separate pieces featuring a mythical makara head! The large hollow reservoir chamber is a baluster shaped, like a Buddhist stupa, with several rings that taper upward to a ring finial to suspend from a chain. The baluster reservoir has a threaded base that twists flush into the lower foot, connecting and feeding oil into the spout that would have contained the wick. The spout neck is in the form of a mythical makara, a dragon-like creature - the horned head has an open mouth from which the opening for the wick spout protrudes. A concave foot supports the magnificent and elegant ensemble, and a dark patina covers the surface throughout. Size: 4" W x 6.5" H (10.2 cm x 16.5 cm)
Provenance: private Corpus Christi, Texas, USA estate collection, acquired 1960s to 1970s
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#165350
Condition Report: Loss to threaded joint area, but not visible when connected and does not affect overall presentation or stability. Surface abrasions from age and use. Dark patina and mineral deposits throughout. Earthen deposits within spout. Old inventory number written on base surface.
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