Pair of Cast Brass Lakshmi Dipa Lamps

Each of this pair of puja or prayer lamps has been cast in the form of a celestial female attendant, identifiable with Lakshmi, the goddess of light and wealth. Each holds a tear or leaf-shaped oil well or wick pan. Importantly, the wells are deep and so will hold a significant quantity of oil so that the lamps will burn for quite some time. This is consistent with the Hindu precept of akhanda jyot – that a lamp offered to a deity should burn without interruption. (The offering of lit lamps to deities is one of the nine essential Brahmanic forms of worship.)

Donating lamps to a temple is also considered a sacred act which confers merit on the owner. Usually such a gift will be accompanied by a stipend for the ongoing purchase of ghee or oil to be used to fuel the lamps.

The lamps have been cast in two sections – the deity and the base, with the deity part screwing into the base but clockwise in the 18th century Indian manner rather than anti-clockwise in the European manner.

The deity wears a long dhoti with side ribbons. Her hair is pulled back in a sharp manner and falls in a long plait down her back to her waist. She wears prominent conical earrings. She has a smiling, benevolent disposition.

The drip trays that comprise part of the base are typical of 18th century lamps (and earlier) and help date the pair.

Each has a superb patina with ample signs of use and wear. Both are sculptural, sit evenly, and are usable.