Oil Lamp, anonymous, c. 1300 - c. 1500
bronze, h 32.5cm × w 19.4cm × d 19.8cm More details
Fire, like water, plays an important role in rituals. Oil lamps are often suspended before the effigy of a god, both at home and in a temple. An essential part of a Hindu temple ceremony (puja) is worshipping the god by moving a lamp in front of his or her image. In ancient India, lamps were the most popular gifts to temples, along with cows to supply clarified butter (the fuel).
