Butter Lamp
19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This silver butter lamp, or mar me (‘butter fire’) in Tibetan, is of a type that was used to illuminate temple interiors. They are usually placed as offerings (of light) on altars in front of images. Making offerings of butter to feed such lamps continues to be a favourite devotional practice of pilgrims in Tibet. This lamp comes from the Dongtse monastery in southern Tibet.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Beaten silver |
| Brief description | Religion, silver, parcel gilt repousse, Tibet, C18 |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Acquired during the British expedition to Tibet, 1904. |
| Historical context | A butter-lamp |
| Production | From Dongtse monastery |
| Summary | This silver butter lamp, or mar me (‘butter fire’) in Tibetan, is of a type that was used to illuminate temple interiors. They are usually placed as offerings (of light) on altars in front of images. Making offerings of butter to feed such lamps continues to be a favourite devotional practice of pilgrims in Tibet. This lamp comes from the Dongtse monastery in southern Tibet. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 527-1905 |
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| Record created | March 10, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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