Brass Dhokra Peacock Oil Lamp From Orissa - Ca 1920

This beautifully sculptural brass oil lamp dates to the early 20th century, circa 1920, and originates from eastern India. Although often associated with Orissa, lamps of this type were traditionally produced by the Dokra Damar tribes of Chhattisgarh, renowned for their mastery of metal casting using the ancient lost-wax technique. These lamps were used daily in domestic and devotional settings, fuelled with ghee oil and a simple cotton wick.

The body of the lamp is ingeniously formed as a stylised peacock, a symbol of beauty, protection, and spirituality in Indian culture. The hollow body serves as a reservoir for the oil, while the removable top holds the wick. The surface is richly decorated with incised geometric patterns, concentric spirals, and textured bands, all characteristic of Dhokra metalwork. The lamp stands on a circular foot, giving it both stability and an elegant vertical presence.

Dhokra (also spelled Dokra) casting, known technically as cire perdue or lost-wax casting, involves modelling the object in beeswax mixed with oil, encasing it in clay from termite mounds, and firing it so the wax melts away. Molten brass or bronze is then poured into the mould, which is broken once cooled, making each piece entirely unique. This lamp is a fine surviving example of that tradition.

A comparable example is illustrated on page 77 of Flames of Devotion: Oil Lamps From South & South East Asia & The Himalayas by Sean Anderson.

• Origin: Orissa / Chhattisgarh, India
• Date: Circa 1920
• Materials: Cast brass (Dhokra technique)
• Features: Peacock-form body, removable wick holder, geometric and spiral decoration
• Condition: Good antique condition with age-related wear and a deep, well-developed patina
• Dimensions: W7.5 x D16 x H15 cm