Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5

African Bambara Oil Lamp, c. 1900

About the Item

Crafted by a blacksmith of the Bambara people of West Africa, this iron lamp once illuminated nighttime rituals and mask performances. Burning Tulu oil made from tree nuts, the lamp gave off a distinctive smoky glow that was ideal for spiritual rites. The iron lamp was forged with branching limbs, each ending in a ladle-like cup. On its own or hosting flickering votive candles, this sculptural lamp lights up modern interiors with its sense of history and sculptural presence.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 40.75 in (103.51 cm)Width: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)Depth: 4 in (10.16 cm)
  • Style:
    Tribal (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
    Mali
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1900
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: CAA15541stDibs: LU820018552592

More From This Seller

View All
Bambara Jidaga Water Vessel
Located in Chicago, IL
Formed by pounding flattened clay around a convex mold, this oblong footed vessel is a water storage jar known as a jidaga, created by women of the Bambara people of Mali. The body o...
Category

Early 20th Century Malian Tribal Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Petite Chinese Glazed Apothecary Jar, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This small glazed jar from China's Shanxi province exemplifies the timeless appeal of handcrafted pottery. Once used in an apothecary to hold ground herbs and oils for traditional me...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing More Candle Holders

Materials

Ceramic

Petite Chinese Glazed Apothecary Jar, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite glazed jar from China's Shanxi province exemplifies the timeless appeal of handcrafted pottery. Once used in an apothecary to hold ground herbs and oils for traditional m...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing More Candle Holders

Materials

Ceramic

Fine Chinese Square Lantern with Frosted Glass, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant, delicately crafted lantern was made in northern China over a century ago. The simple frame is crafted of a fine hardwood and inset with panes of frosted glass. Lanterns in China have a history that goes back over 1,800 years to the Han dynasty: during the Lantern Festival (which falls on the 15 day of the first lunar month) people hang lanterns...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Candle Lamps

Materials

Hardwood, Glass

Bambara Ci Wara Headdress Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Carved to honor the mythical being Ci Wara, a Bambara deity that’s half mortal and half animal, this wooden headdress combines the graceful head and horns of a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Malian Tribal Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chinese Bronze Ho Ho Boy Candle Stands, C. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
These early 20th century candlesticks are cast of bronze in the form of two young boys dressed in flowing garments and standing on square pedestal bases. Each boy holds a dish for ta...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

You May Also Like

Converted Brass Oil Lamp Wall Sconce
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Converted in the early 20th century, this Edwardian-era brass wall oil lamp creates a terrific period focal point for the dining room or foyer. Av...
Category

Early 20th Century American Edwardian Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal

Converted Brass Oil Lamp Wall Sconce
$1,084 Sale Price / item
25% Off
Single German Jugendstil Pierced Brass Wall Sconce, circa 1900
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A German jugendstil pierced brass wall sconce. circa 1900. Circular brass reflector with raised center pierced and etched decoration the later single light sconce. Measure: ...
Category

Antique Early 1900s German Jugendstil Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Pair of Silvered and Painted Iron Grape Vine Wall Lamps
Located in Hanover, MA
Vintage pair of Italian grape vine wall sconces hand painted, silvered and white washed, with dual arms for tapered wax candles. If requested we can m...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Candle Sconces

Materials

Iron

Pair of French Doré Bronze Crystal Girandoles Candelabras Three-Light Lamps
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful pair of French doré bronze and crystal girandoles / candelabras with three lights as lamps.
Category

Vintage 1930s French Regency Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Pair of Early 19th Century Dutch Brass Wall Sconces
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A stunning pair of large, brass candle sconces from the earliest part of the 19th century, made in the Netherlands. These immense Dutch fixtures have extraordinary scroll form arms t...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Dutch Candle Sconces

Materials

Brass

Vintage Iron Sconce
Located in Napa, CA
Vintage iron sconce with two candle holders. Iron is painted green with gold accents and dates back to 1890-1900's.
Category

Antique 19th Century French Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Iron

Recently Viewed

View All