Brass Deepa Lakshmi Votive Lamp From Tamil Nadu – 19th Century

These antique South Indian votive oil lamps are made from cast bronze and originate from Tamil Nadu. Lamps like these are used in a family shrine or Hindu temple. They are called deepa Lakshmi or kamakshi villaku and depict Lakshmi, the goddess of power and wealth on the backplate often flanked by elephants. The design is such that the light honors and illuminates the goddess. A wick would have been positioned in the lip at the front.

Deepa Lakshmi oil lamps are often used in November at Diwali – the Hindu festival of light. A similar example can be found at the British Museum.

As is very common with these pieces, years of devotional rubbing have left the goddess and elephants featureless. A sign of a long and well loved life.

Dimensions:

11 x 10 x 13.5 (wxdxh cms)

From India

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