Oil Lamp, anonymous, c. 1300 - c. 1500

Oil Lamp, anonymous, c. 1300 - c. 1500

bronze, h 32.5cm × w 19.4cm × d 19.8cm More details

Fire, like water, plays an important role in rituals. Oil lamps are often suspended before the effigy of a god, both at home and in a temple. An essential part of a Hindu temple ceremony (puja) is worshipping the god by moving a lamp in front of his or her image. In ancient India, lamps were the most popular gifts to temples, along with cows to supply clarified butter (the fuel).

On display in Philips wing, room 1.7

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