lamp (lighting devices)

An Indian fretted brass gyroscopic rolling lamp. It is spherical in shape and is decorated with cutouts of flowers, leaves and rings. The lamp is in two halves, hinged at one side, and a hook and pin catch at the other side to secure it closed. When open, the lamp contains a metal mechanism which supports a metal oil burner which remains upright no matter what way the spherical lamp is turned. This mechanism is secured to the outer part of the lamp with two metal pins that go through two holes on the side of the lamp.

This type of lamp often depicted in miniature paintings in use by women playing by the pool at night inside the palaces

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
2003.276
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 3.5433 x 3.5433 x 3.5433 in.; 90 x 90 x 90 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
brass (alloy); metal
CATEGORY
Anthropology: Ethnography
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Collection Information

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