Oil lamps have been used to provide light as well being vial components in religious rituals. Called a diya when it is used daily by Hindus throughout the Indian subcontinent, they are made of clay, brass or other copper/metal alloys and gold and silver for the rich. Clay lamps are usually used with a cotton wick and oil or clarified butter (ghee) as a short term light source for special occasions and ceremonies or on a daily basis for prayer rituals performed in the home or at temples for devotional worship of or showing reverence to Hindu deities (puja). Metal diyas are more permanent fixtures in the home and in temples and are also used to celebrate all kinds of events including a wish to honor a guest’s arrival, celebrate the passing or recall the memory of a loved one, or celebrate almost any important life event. Metal diyas are usually one-of-a-kind hand-cast pieces made using the lost wax method where each mold is hand-made and destroyed in the casting process. Hindus believe that diyas are essential, as light itself is the absence of darkness and where evil forces dwell. Therefore, light and the act of lighting a lamp signifies purity, virtuosity, goodness and brings one good luck and power. Antique oil lamps were found throughout the Roman Empire catacombs as manifestations of the presence of the divine. Our collection also includes carved wood oil lamps.
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Metal oil lamps (diyas) made for deities in Hinduism are recognized by distinct designs, symbols or figures which identify specific deities to devotees wish to offer their prayers used in homes and temples for daily prayers (puja). This heavy brass antique votive from India is a Vishnu diya with a shallow yoni shaped cup, short…
Hindus use oil lamps (diya) like for ritual prayer rituals (puja) performed on home altars. Light and the act of lighting a lamp signify purity, virtuosity, goodness and brings one good luck and power. Peacocks are common motifs symbolize love, joy, peace and harmony.
This brass oil lamp diya is decorated with an image on front and back of Lakshmi seated on a lotus, full-breasted and broad hipped, beneficently smiling and being lustrated (showered by water) by elephants, symbolizing rain clouds bringing water and life to the land and that unwavering effort to adhere to spiritual teachings and governed by wisdom and purity leads to both material and spiritual prosperity.
The pair of antique oil lamps was meant to bring good luck and happiness decorated on top with a double lozenge, a diamond shaped symbol is a lucky object that is a protective sign casting out demons and means “many treasures.” The five leaves are plum blossoms, symbols of perseverance and purity, and the Five Blessings or Happinesses – wealth, health, longevity, a peaceful death and the love of virtue As an oil lamp it was used with a wick hanging over the side.
This charming oil lamp is decorated with auspicious symbols: Fish symbolize harmony, marital happiness and double fish mean “may there be abundance.” The oil cup is a lotus seed with a lotus leaf, symbols of a harmonious and fruitful marriage and also mean “the continuous birth of sons.”
This charming oil lamp is decorated with auspicious symbols: Fish symbolize harmony, marital happiness and double fish mean “may there be abundance.” The oil cup is a lotus seed with a lotus leaf, symbols of a harmonious and fruitful marriage and also mean “the continuous birth of sons,”
Antique silver spoons like this were used to offered water to the gods to show respect. Water is used by Hindus to cleanse and purify one’s body, mind and spirit. The lotus design is a symbolic connection to Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Early Christianity oil lamps were also seen as a symbol of light and a manifestations of the presence of the divine.
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