Hanging Lamp - 03

This is a brass, lost-wax cast, hanging lamp from Kerala with five petal-like projections for wicks. Above and below this, is a short stem that has kumbha-like cushion elements. At the base is a circular drip pan with raised sides. The size of the lamp is 7.5 x 7.5 x 37 inches when the chain is fully extended. When not extended, the height is 9 inches.
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.