Lot 370: A SOUTHERN INDIAN FOLK STYLE BRONZE DEEPALAKSHMI OIL LAMP, LATE 19TH/EARLY 20TH CENTURY
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A traditional South Indian devotional oil lamp, known as a Deepalakshmi, depicting a manifestation of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and light. The figurine is rendered in a formal standing samabhanga posture, holding a shallow, leaf-shaped oil receptacle (deepa) with both hands at waist level. The deity is adorned with traditional South Indian jewellery, including a decorative girdle, armbands, and a tiered headdress, with a small parrot perched on her right shoulder—a common iconographic symbol in the region representing love and divine messengers. The piece exhibits a characteristic folk or village aesthetic, likely from Tamil Nadu or Karnataka, featuring bold, stylized facial features and rhythmic, incised linear patterns representing textiles.
H: Approximately 12cm
Condition report:
The item is in good antique condition, displaying a well-developed and authentic golden-brown patina with minor traces of verdigris in recessed areas. There is surface wear and small casting pits consistent with age and traditional manufacturing techniques. The structure remains sound, with the lamp bowl and shoulder parrot intact. The underside of the base retains some original clay-like casting core material. No evidence of major damage or professional restoration.
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