A CHINESE GREEN-GLAZED POTTERY TWO-TIERED OIL LAMP A CHINESE GREEN-GLAZED POTTERY TWO-TIERED OIL LAMP A CHINESE GREEN-GLAZED POTTERY TWO-TIERED OIL LAMP

A CHINESE GREEN-GLAZED POTTERY TWO-TIERED OIL LAMP

Reference: ART100756

The conical foot is decorated with applied moulded figures, bow and arrows, and birds, the central column supports a circular basin with four oil lamps followed by a bulbous connecting section. The upper section with a further circular basin with four oil lamps and the uppermost bulbous section is modelled as a bird with wings and upright, all surmounted by a circular dish.

CATALOGUE NOTES
A three-tiered example of an oil lamp decorated with birds can be found in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, accession no. 99.68a-c. The structure of lamps like the current lot was most likely inspired by bronze originals. Han dynasty lamps would have vegetable oil or paraffin to fuel wicks that would float in the bowls.