Fine, Tibetan, Engraved Silver Yak Butter Lamp

This tall, chalice-like Tibetan butter lamp is notable for its significant age, the purity of the silver used in its manufacture, its fine condition, and splendid proportions.

Made from beaten, solid silver, the lamp is well proportioned.

The tall, conical foot has been chased with elongated lotus petals. The bowl that holds the butter oil is beautifully engraved with Buddhistic symbols and leafy scrolls against a tooled background.

Joining the bowl to the foot is a mid-section in the form of a kalasha or longevity vase.

The forms of such lamps is reminiscent of the Christian chalice. The lamp would have been used on an altar, filled to the brim with yak butter oil and with a single wick floating in the bowl.

The example here is particularly fine, with great decorative presence, and with obvious age, dating to the 18th century if not earlier.