Deccan Bird Oil Lamp

This Deccan lost-wax cast brass oil lamp is in the form of a parakeet standing on a stepped circular plinth. The wick would emerge from the top of its head, and this can be unscrewed to replenish the oil which is held in the body of the bird. The bird is adorned with numerous neck ornaments and the wings have been decorated with engravings.
The ancient art of lost-wax casting dates back nearly 6000 years in India, and the oldest example in the world is from the Indus Valley Civilization. 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.