Listed oil pourer

Listed oil pourer

Ceylon, Sri Lanka, 17th-18th century

Cast brass, with a round body resting on a circular foot, with a long, tapered pouring spout, reminiscent of a bird's beak, screwed to the neck, to which is attached the handle adorned with a twisted knot, known in Hindu circles as the "Brahma knot (mudi)". This symbolizes the endless cycle of creation for which Brahma is responsible. Engraved inscriptions probably in Tamul, with a no. of 1164. H. 30 cm Only a few similar ewers with rope handles have been published. This example is larger than most. These ewers were used in the temples of Sri Lanka and South India to fill the cups of small lamps with oil, the elongated, pointed spout being ideal for this task. A similar ewer was offered at Sotheby's London, "Arts of the Islamic World", October 14, 1999, lot no. 175. References Coomaraswamy, A.K., Mediaeval Sinhalese Art, Pantheon Books, 1956, reprint of the 1908 edition. A Hindu brass temple oil pourer, Ceylon, Sri Lanka, 17th-18th century