19th Century Lakshmi Brass Metal Oil Lamp South India Kerala Vintage Antique

  
We guarantee the authenticity of all our items. 19th Century BRASS Metal OIL Lamp.

Gajalakshmi Vilakku Brass Metal Oil Lamp from Kerala India Wide: 12 inch Height 40 inch (lamp and chain). This sculptural and usable temple hanging or chain lamp is of cast brass.

The central sculptural element above the oil pan shows the goddess Lakshmi being lustrated by two elephants. This is a common depiction of Lakshmi in Kerala and Tamil Nadu in India's south. The lamp is supported by a heavy cast brass chain and hanging hook. Lakshmi, Vishnu's consort, is the goddess of wealth and prosperity. She is associated with light, hence the association of her image with lamps.

The festival of Divali (the'festival of light') is staged across India each year in her honor. The lamp here is of good size and heavy.

It would have served as a focal point in a temple or home pooja.