An archaic bronze 'figural' lamp stand, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period

J.J. Lally & Co., New York, December 2000.

The present figure depicts a standing warrior, his outstretched arms supporting a cylindrical socket designed to hold an oil lamp. Clad in intricately scaled armor and a belted tunic, the warrior’s stern countenance and furrowed brow convey an aura of vigilance, reflecting the valorized martial ethos of the period.

The Warring States period was characterized by intense conflict among rival states, fostering advancements in military technology and the glorification of warrior culture. Bronze, traditionally associated with ritual and power, became increasingly utilized for both practical and decorative purposes, including lighting. This warrior lamp stand exemplifies this transition, merging the symbolic authority of bronze with the functional necessity of illumination. The emergence of true functional lighting apparatus during this era marked a significant technological and aesthetic advancement, driven by innovations in metallurgy and evolving cultural practices.

The earliest textual evidence of ceremonial lighting culture in China is found in Chuci·Zhaoxun (Songs of Chu, late 3rd century BCE), which states: 'Orchid-scented oils brighten the candles; ornate lamps glimmer inlaid with gold' (蘭膏明燭，華鐙錯些). This lamp stand embodies such sophistication, transforming a utilitarian object into a vehicle of artistic expression.

Compare a closely related 'warrior' lamp, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 18th October 2023, lot 547; see also a slightly larger lamp stand, previously in the collection of the late Sir Joseph Hotung, sold in the same rooms, 8th October 2022, lot 15; an inlay-decorated standing figure wearing a headdress and a long robe, but of a more slender build, is in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (accession no. 2003.140.3).