Indian Oil Lamp with Elephant Motif

A lamp that sprawls across its stand, elephant head and all.

Indian metalworkers cast this oil lamp with an elephant motif in bronze in the 19th century. Elephant forms are commonly associated with auspiciousness and royalty on lamps and temple objects. A broad, leaf-like dish sprays out across the top, with an elephant head with a curled trunk at the front. A scrolling openwork bracket sweeps down to a round pedestal with beaded edges. The bronze has a deep golden brown surface, mottled with age.

About 5 inches wide. A crowd-pleaser for a low table.