Small, Engraved Silver Butter Lamp, Tibet, 19th century

Small, Engraved Silver Butter Lamp

This fine yak butter lamp is of beaten solid silver. Its form is reminiscent of the Christian chalice. It would have been used on an altar, filled to the brim with yak butter oil and with a single wick floating in the oil.

The baluster-form stem is richly formed with prominent lotus petal decoration. The outside walls of the lamp bowl are finely engraved with cartouches of Buddhistic motifs.

The lamp is in a fine, stable condition without significant losses, dents or repairs. Its age is obvious as is the patina, with the contours having been rounded and softened from years of use and handling.

UK art market