- Home
- Hamsa Lamp Finial - 02
Loading...
View Full ScreenHamsa Lamp Finial - 02
Price on Inquiry
All orders are insured for transit.
This item cannot be shipped outside India.
Request Information
Request A Call Back
All orders are insured for transit.
This item cannot be shipped outside India.
Details
| Size (WxDxH): | 7.5 x 4 x 8 inches |
| Medium: | Bronze |
| Origin: | North Karnataka / Andhra Pradesh |
Description
This is a very finely engraved and rare, cast bronze, Deccan Hamsa oil lamp finial from North Karnataka or Andhra Pradesh. The branch Hamsa holds in its beak is probably a branch of Sanjeevini, which is held to be a medicinal plant in Hindu mythology that revives life. The wings and body of the bird are engraved with feather designs and the tail is an elegant open scrollwork. Birds or Hamsas like this were used as decorative elements on the top of oil lamps as containers for the oil.
In this piece, an internal mechanism would have allowed the oil to pass, drop by drop, through a narrow, often faceted, spout on the breast of the bird (missing here but the clean cut hole can be seen) into the bowl with the wicks beneath. Comparable examples can be seen in Mark Zebrowski's "Gold, Silver and Bronze from Mughal India", cat.93-95, p.98.
The hamsa, swan or goose, which is revered by Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains, is seen as a symbol of purity, detachment and divine knowledge. It symbolizes the highest spiritual accomplishment, as it swims in water, walks on earth and flies in the sky.
In this piece, an internal mechanism would have allowed the oil to pass, drop by drop, through a narrow, often faceted, spout on the breast of the bird (missing here but the clean cut hole can be seen) into the bowl with the wicks beneath. Comparable examples can be seen in Mark Zebrowski's "Gold, Silver and Bronze from Mughal India", cat.93-95, p.98.
The hamsa, swan or goose, which is revered by Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains, is seen as a symbol of purity, detachment and divine knowledge. It symbolizes the highest spiritual accomplishment, as it swims in water, walks on earth and flies in the sky.
-
Description
Read MoreThis is a very finely engraved and rare, cast bronze, Deccan Hamsa oil lamp finial from North Karnataka or Andhra Pradesh. The branch Hamsa holds in its beak is probably a branch of Sanjeevini, which is held to be a medicinal plant in Hindu mythology that revives life. The wings and body of the bird are engraved with feather designs and the tail is an elegant open scrollwork. Birds or Hamsas like this were used as decorative elements on the top of oil lamps as containers for the oil.
In this piece, an internal mechanism would have allowed the oil to pass, drop by drop, through a narrow, often faceted, spout on the breast of the bird (missing here but the clean cut hole can be seen) into the bowl with the wicks beneath. Comparable examples can be seen in Mark Zebrowski's "Gold, Silver and Bronze from Mughal India", cat.93-95, p.98.
The hamsa, swan or goose, which is revered by Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains, is seen as a symbol of purity, detachment and divine knowledge. It symbolizes the highest spiritual accomplishment, as it swims in water, walks on earth and flies in the sky.
-
Details
Size (WxDxH): 7.5 x 4 x 8 inches Medium: Bronze Origin: North Karnataka / Andhra Pradesh -
Returns
We accept returns within 7 days of delivery if the item reaches you in damaged condition. -
Shipping
Shipping costs are extra, and will be calculated based on the shipping address.All orders are insured for transit.
This item cannot be shipped outside India.
This item has been added to your shopping cart.
You can continue browsing
or proceed to checkout and pay for your purchase.
This item has been added to your
shopping cart.
You can continue browsing
or proceed to checkout and pay for
your purchase.
This item has been added to your wish list.
You can continue browsing or visit your Wish List page.
Are you sure you want to delete this item from your Wish List?
Are you sure you want to delete this
item from your Wish List?
