Naga oil lamp

Object Details

• Description

  The bronze lamp hangs from a linked chain and bent hook, the main component in the shape of a serpent with an upraised head and tail. The head supports a flat dish that held the oil, where a small wick would have provided the flame. The serpent has an open mouth with pronounced teeth and extended tongue, the upper half of the body is incised with circles representing scales, and the belly side is ribbed with projecting bands.

• Label

  Known as nagas, serpents are powerful symbols in South and Southeast Asia. They guard the watery underworld, where they are believed to reside in jeweled palaces and protect corals and pearls. In Southeast Asia, nagas also represent the bridge that connects the human and divine worlds.

  This bronze oil lamp takes the shape of a naga with an upraised head and tail, which hangs from a linked chain and bent hook. The head supports a flat, petal-shaped dish that held the oil, where a small wick would have provided the flame. The serpent has an open mouth with pronounced teeth and extended tongue, the upper half of the body is incised with circles representing scales, and the belly side is ribbed with projecting bands.

  Relief carvings on Indonesian temples show lamps like this one illuminating sacred and palatial interiors.

• Collection

  National Museum of Asian Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  The Art of Knowing in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas (March 25, 2023 - ongoing)

  Power in Southeast Asia (October 14, 2017 to March 13, 2020)

• Origin

  Java, Indonesia

• Credit Line

  Gift of Ann and Gilbert Kinney

• Type

  Furniture and Furnishing

• Restrictions and Rights

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1300s

• Place

  Java, Indonesia

• Topic

  Art, Southeast Asian Art, Dragon, Metal-work

• Culture

  Southeast Asians

• Object Type

  Furniture, Furnishings