Hanging Oil Lamp in the Form of a Kinnari
Asian Art
MEDIUM
Bronze
DATES
13th–15th century
DIMENSIONS
height: 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm)
ACCESSION NUMBER
2021.1.63
CREDIT LINE
Bequest of Dr. Samuel Eilenberg
PROVENANCE
Prior to 1998, provenance not yet documented; by 1998, acquired by Samuel Eilenberg of New York; 1998, bequeathed by Samuel Eilenberg to the Brooklyn Museum; April 6, 2021, accessioned by the Brooklyn Museum.
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CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Two-wicked oil lamp with chain for hanging. The oil resevoir is in the shape of a stout bird with the crowned head of a woman, a mythical creature known in Sanskrit as a Kinnari. The bird's thin wings spread out diagonally on either side and below them the two wick stands emerge, perpendicular to the body of the kinnari. The creature has the breasts of a female human, and paws of a feline.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
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