Parakeet Oil Lamp Finial

This is a very unusual and rare Deccan oil lamp finial in form of stylised parakeet, made in brass with a beautiful patina. What is particularly rare is that both the wings and tail are articulated. In Hindu beliefs, the parakeet has ties to Kama, the god of love. The bird is engraved with feathers on the wings and tail. Birds like this were often used as decorative elements on the top of oil lamps and doubled as an oil container for the lamp. In this case an internal mechanism allowed the oil to pass, drop by drop, through a narrow, faceted, spout on the breast of the parakeet into the bowl with the wicks beneath.
The size of this item is 7 x 4 x 6.5 inches without the base and 7 x 4 x 9 inches with the base.