OIL LAMP WITH NAGA. Yellow bronze. India, Bastar, 19th cent. LENGTH 24 CM, HEIGHT 13 CM
A bastar bronze of a bowl shaped vessel standing on a fine, horizontally ribbed, conical base, producing a chalice-form. It bears five lotus leaf shaped, spoon-like extensions, which were used for the wicks and are applied almost directly to the lip. The lamp has traces of usage, patina and rust.
Bronzes from indigenous Bastar tribes were always cult-related, and crafted by specialized bronze-founders who travelled the land. The Baster region lies in the southernmost part of Madhya Pradesh, in Southeast- Central India.​​​ Old genuine bronze items from this region are becoming increasingly rare and hard to find in India, as it was customary for tribes to melt old bronzes together in order to craft new ones. The quite juvenile and childish appearance of this tribal authenticity presents a special appeal to us!