Bronze oil lamp depicting Lakshmi (Gajalakshmi) with elephants.
South India, Kerala.
17th century.
10 cm x 7 cm x 7 cm
 
A circular oil basin with a triangular outcrop, surrounded by beaded decoration, supporting an arched back plate depicting a seated Lakshmi flanked by trumpeting elephants, beneath a central kirtimukha. The bronze has a beautiful natural patina with inlays of cuprite and malachite mineralization.
 
The iconography of Lakshmi bathed by elephants is derived from the story of the sea of milk churned by the gods (devas) and demons (rakshas) to discover all her gifts. As well as potions of immortality, churning also produced other celestial gifts, including a wish-fulfilling horse and the Apsara damsels. Lakshmi also appeared, provoking song and dance among celestial beings and elephants who sprinkled her with holy water, earning her the second name of Gajalakshmi.
 
Superb patina!
Object in good condition for its age.