A BRONZE BIRD-FORM OIL CONTAINER, SOUTH INDIA, 18TH-19TH CENTURY

The cast form supported on a tall narrow column, the feet resting on a polygonal plaque, two separate leaf-form elements with riveted and welded attachments, one forming the tail the other issuing from the birds mouth, the figure worked throughout with punched and chased details, a narrow pipe running from the chest through the base plaque, traces of red and black substance in the chased decoration

Patination and areas of verdigris, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This bird, in flamboyant display, would have functioned as the container for oil on a lamp, the oil gently dripped through the smaller pipe into a well holding the wick. In its plump proportions and crested head, this is clearly a depiction of a hamsa, the swan or gander of Hindu mythology where it has the role of the mount of the god Brahma. Depictions of hamsa are frequent in the architectural decoration of the Deccan and South India. It is characteristic of these depictions that the bird has a fleshy leaf issuing from its mouth. There are few oil lamps of hamsa form remaining from South India, most bird-form objects from that region being incense burners or acquamaniles and hence this object presents a rare extant example of this form of object (Zebrowski 1997, pp.101-2, no.102).