Pair of vintage Deepalakshmi Lamps

This rare pair of 18th-century Deepalakshmi lamps from Karnataka depicts two young female figures standing gracefully on circular bases, each holding an oil well in her outstretched hands. Named after Goddess Lakshmi, the embodiment of wealth, abundance, and auspiciousness, such lamps formed an integral part of ritual and domestic worship in South Indian households.

The figures are rendered in traditional attire characteristic of the region and period, with long plaited hair and finely detailed jewellery adorning the neck, ears, wrists, and head. The sculptural treatment reflects the refined metalworking traditions of Karnataka, where devotional objects were crafted with equal emphasis on symbolism, balance, and ornamentation.

Deepalakshmi lamps were more than utilitarian sources of light; they were ritual objects intended to invoke prosperity and spiritual illumination during daily prayers, festivals, and ceremonial occasions. The considerable age of this matched pair is evident in the gently worn surfaces, softened features, and the natural patina developed over centuries of use—qualities especially valued by collectors and connoisseurs.

Preserved together as a pair, these lamps offer a compelling glimpse into the devotional practices and artistic heritage of 18th-century Karnataka.