Large Rare Oil Lamp

This is a large, rare, elegant, lost-wax cast bronze, oil lamp from South Kanara (coastal Karnataka). At the top of the lamp is an oil well with seven petal-like projections for the wicks. Below this, on the balustrade tapering stem, is first a kumbha-like cushion element, then two sets of lappet like designs. Towards the base, the kumbha-like cushion is repeated giving a wonderful cohesion to the design. At the base is a circular drip pan on a ring foot.
The ancient art of lost-wax casting dates back nearly 6000 years in India. First, an artist creates an original model from wax. Everything is then encased with layers of clay, thus becoming a mould for the molten metal that will be poured inside it. When this is poured in, the wax melts and the original is lost. Once the metal hardens, the outer layer of clay is smashed, which is what makes each piece unique.