19th C. Indian Brass Devotional Oil Lamp w/ Gajalakshmi

South Asia, India, ca. late 19th century CE. A wonderful example of a cast brass oil lamp for a shrine featuring the goddess Lakshmi in her form as Gajalakshmi. The burner is shaped like a throne rests on a ring foot with a recessed base. The shallow well is situated below the backplate and is shaped to resemble the feminine yoni with a broad rim. The backplate is cast with identical depictions of Gajalakshmi and her two elephants in low relief on both sides. The goddess sits cross legged in the center flanked by stylized elephants that are ritualistically showering her with water. A cotton wick would light the oil within the well to illuminate the backplate and Gajalakshmi. These lamps were popular in household shrines and during the festival of Diwali to celebrate the goddess Lakshmi and the victory of light over darkness. A wonderful patina envelops the surface of this devotional piece and this lamp could certainly be used as intended or with modern tea lights! Size: 3" L x 3.5" W x 5.25" H (7.6 cm x 8.9 cm x 13.3 cm)

Provenance: private Morrison, Colorado, USA collection

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#163143
Condition Report: Surface cracking around base. Softening of details and casting imperfections. Nicks to high pointed areas. Dark green patina.