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A copper alloy Tibetan/Nepalese Butter Lamp 'Sukunda', 19th Century.

Estimate
6 000 - 8 000 SEK
531 - 707 EUR
543 - 724 USD
Hammer price
Unsold
Purchasing info
For condition report contact specialist
Cecilia Nordström
Stockholm
Cecilia Nordström
Senior specialist Asian Ceramics and Works of Art, European Ceramics and Glass
+46 (0)739 40 08 02
A copper alloy Tibetan/Nepalese Butter Lamp 'Sukunda', 19th Century.

The flame burns in three ladle shaped vessels before a stupa, a figure of Ganesh and another deity. Height 19 cm.

Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Danish Archaeologist, Ethnographer, Art Collector and Museum Director Werner Jacobsen (1914-79). For more information, see below.

Wear.

Provenance

Formerly in the collection of Danish Archaeologist, Ethnographer, Art Collector and Museum Director Werner Jacobsen (1914-79). Jacobsen studied archeology and participated 1938-39 in the Danish Royal Geografic Societys Expedition to Mongolia under the lead of Henning Haslund-Christensens.
During the years 1946-59 he lived in India and Nepal and acquired many pieces for National Museum in Denmark, The Royal Library, the Moesgård Museum and himself. He set up a scientific center in Kathmandu, Nepal and later in Denmark where he organized all the material and information he had gathered.
In 1940-45 he was employed the Danish National Museum, in 1961 he became Museum Director for the Etnografic Collection. 1963-78 he was the head of the information and educational Department at the Museum. The collection was acquired from Werner Jacobsen as a whole when he sold it to gather funds for new expeditions. Thence by descent to the present owner.

Literature

Werner Jacobsen published various literary and academic works such as; Bronzer fra Mongoliet, Köpenhamn, 1940, Some Observations on the Origin of Sino-sibirian Animal Bronzes, Köpenhamn 1941, Buddhsitisk Skulptur I Kina, Köpenhamn, 1941, Kabuki, det Japanska folks teater, Köpenhamn 1941, Todaerne, - en idisk bjergstamme, Köpenhamn 1949, Maleri fra Puri, Orissa, Indien, Köpenhamn 1961, Thailand, Arkeologi og Kunst, Köpenhamn 1961. Originale Bloktryk fra Nepal, Köpehamn, 1966, Asiatiske Akkorder, Köpenhamn 1965, Buddha og det modern menneske, Köpenhamn, 1970, Kunsten, kunstneren og inderen, Köpenhamn, 1970, Den hvide mans byrde, Köpenhamn, 1970, Hvad er den egentlige virkelighed, Köpenhamn, 1976, Den hvide gud, Köpenhamn, 1973.

More information

Burning of butter lamps is seen regularly in temples during prayers. The practice is said to help focus the mind and aid meditation, to dispel the darkness of our own ignorance. It is also used during funerals dedicated to the deceased to ease their passage after death. Traditionally, a twist of cotton wicking was lit in the bowl filled with clarified yak butter. Today vegetable oil is also used.

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