Brass Mughal or Deccan Lamp, India

Magnificent Brass Lamp Stand

This beautiful brass oil lamp and candle stand comprises a long, sculptural baluster pillar that rises from a circular drip pan on a ring foot. The lamp section comprises a shallow oil dish from which five petal-like projections emanate for wicks. Above this rises a candle stick (this could also function as another well for oil and a wick.)

As Zebrowski (1997:117) comments in relation to a similar lamp in the Yanni Petsopoulos Collection that such lamps show some influence form south Indian figurative lamps and could equally be at home in a Hindu temple as well as a Muslim shrine or mosque.

The lamp has been cast in three parts; each part is marked with two similar letters which appear to be Sanskrit.

The age of the lamp is obvious; it has a glowing patina, rounded contours and softened edges, and a buttery, waxy feel. There is minor distortion to the rim of the catchment dish near the base.

The Petsopoulos example is illustrated on page 116 of Zebrowski, M., Gold, Silver & Bronze from Mughal India, Alexandria Press, 1997.