Lamp, Religious
Object number2020.29.4
Datec. 2018
OriginIndia
MediumClay; Paint; Glitter; Paper; Ink; Adhesive; Wax(?) or Ghee(?)
Credit LineGift of Krishna Sharma
DescriptionDiya lamp with square central bowl and four petals. Painted brown clay. Underside is painted brown. Central square bowl is painted green and brown with white dotted lines and gold glitter lines; white wax(?) or ghee(?) inside and on sides. One painted red petal on each side of bowl have white dotted lines and gold glitter lines.DimensionsHeight x Width x Length: 0.938 × 3.125 × 3.125 in. (2.4 × 7.9 × 7.9 cm)MarksWhite paper sticker on underside has printed in blue text “MADE / IN / INDIA”.
Historical NotesDiya lamp used during the religious festival Diwali.Label TextThese small earthenware lamps are central to the religious festival Diwali. The light of the lamp drives away darkness and symbolizes knowledge. Usually filled with oil or ghee (a kind of clarified butter made from bovine milk and used in Indian cooking, medicine, and religious rituals); the lamps have a cotton wick. The lamps light the home, burning away darkness and ignorance, as the flame reaches towards higher spiritual knowledge.
On View
Not on view
c. 2018
c. 2018
c. 2018
C. and E. Marshall Company
c. 2018
