Nepalese Hanging Oil Lamp Depicting Temple, with Pendants

A temple small enough to hang, with lamps at its corners.

This hanging oil lamp depicting a temple, with pendants, comes from Nepal, 20th century, in panchaloha, an alloy of five metals. In Hindu tradition this alloy has long been considered auspicious for sacred objects, and lamps in Nepal are lit as a daily offering in temples and homes. Tier upon tier of tiny columned pavilions step up to a ribbed spire and a looped hanger. Small oil pans project from the base, with a seated figure in a round plaque above one. Leaf-shaped pendants hang all around the lower edge. It is 22 inches high and 12.5 wide.

Nobody could accuse it of modest ambitions.