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Qing Chinese Butter Fat Lamp with Copper Overlay

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:50.00 USD Estimated At:150.00 - 300.00 USD
Qing Chinese Butter Fat Lamp with Copper Overlay
Offered in this lot is a 18th-19th Century Qing Dynasty Chinese Cast Iron Butter Fat Lamp with Copper Overlay. Oil lamps are lit at traditional Chinese shrines before either an image of a deity or a plaque with Classical Chinese characters giving the name of the deity. It is generally seen in Tibetan Buddhist temples and monasteries in the Himalayas. In Tibetan Buddhism, lamp offerings have the same merits as charity. Lighting a butter lamp signifies someone lights the inner wisdom of himself. This tulip shaped cast iron butter lamp features a small upper open reservoir at the top of the center pedestal and a larger base overflow reservoir/drip bowl. Center pedestal appears to have been painted, the paint has flaked off revealing the copper overlay underneath. Surface oxidation/rust visible throughout. Measures 8.5"H x 3"W mouth, 4.75" overflow/drip bowl, weight 2lb, 2oz.