Nepalese Oil Lamp Depicting Kneeling Elephant

Kneeling in patience, lamp held high, facing right.

Nepali craftsmen made this bronze kneeling elephant oil lamp in the 20th century. In Hindu and Buddhist art the elephant is commonly linked with strength, wisdom and good fortune, and lamps in animal form often serve in shrines. The elephant faces right, front legs folded beneath a patterned back cloth, one ear carved with fine lines. Its trunk lifts a flared lamp bowl on a leafy stem. A square plinth with a row of lotus petals along the lower tier carries the piece, and the metal has an even, mellow brown.

About eight inches tall and wide. Small enough to be trusted with fire.