Indian Oil Lamp with Lakshmi Motif

Two small birds guard the arch of this slightly weary lamp.

This brass, copper and alloy oil lamp with a Lakshmi motif is from Karnataka, South India, and dates to the 20th century. Gaja Lakshmi lamps, which show the goddess flanked by elephants, are a well-known form in South India, though styles of the figure vary by region. Visible is a rounded back with a spiked border holds a seated figure flanked by paired birds. The bowl below is shallow with a ruffled edge and a flared foot. A small hole shows near the base, and the surface is mellow olive and tan. It is 3.4 inches wide, 4 deep and 5.25 high.

Well used, gently dented, still keeping its dignity.