Carved Asian Figural Lamps

Discussion in 'Tribal Art' started by NewEngland, Jun 6, 2020.

  1. NewEngland

    NewEngland Well-Known Member

    I have two carved wood figures that have been made into lamps. I cut off the electric cord since it was old and from another country. The first one looks like a bird or dragon, fish and waves. The second is a bird hidden inside a seed pod atop a plant. They're big - about 22" high. The brass rod is to run the electric cord up to the bulb holder. I think they are Asian - has anyone seen carving like this? Any help appreciated.

    lamp1A.JPG lamp1C.JPG lamp1E.JPG lamp2C.JPG lamp2A.JPG lamp2D.JPG
     
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  2. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    This looks like a ram's head to me:

    upload_2020-6-6_16-26-46.png

    Wonder if sculpted wood of first lamp was used upside down.
     
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  3. NewEngland

    NewEngland Well-Known Member

    Here's a picture turned upside down. I think you are correct. A ram's head. And there is a handle or plug at the top (bottom). Perhaps these carved pieces came from something else and were converted into lamps.
    Lamp1Upsidedown.JPG
     

    Attached Files:

  4. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    That is what I was thinking too.
     
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  5. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    Just curious.

    upload_2020-6-6_16-52-34.png
     
  6. NewEngland

    NewEngland Well-Known Member

    It doesn't mean anything to me either way. Why is a bird inside a pod? And what are those spiky things? Some kind of plant?
     
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  7. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    I see some signs that the second one may not be a single piece but several segments stacked on one another. I am completely clueless about the top section. I don't have any feel for what culture produced it. Hate to do this & she may not see for a while - @Any Jewelry ?
     
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  8. moreotherstuff

    moreotherstuff Izorizent

    The first looks like it might be a leg off some furniture piece.
     
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  9. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    Think then it would have to be upside down again? I was envisioning decoration of the front sides leading up to a support for an arm.
     
  10. NewEngland

    NewEngland Well-Known Member

    I think that knob could be a foot or support of some kind, so maybe it was the leg from a piece of furniture. It's possible both carvings were taken from other objects and crudely made into lamps.
     
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  11. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    It looks Indian to me. Mythical creatures and a double lotus under the pod-bird, intriguing. I agree, the first one is upside down.
    I wonder if the two were once one piece? A pillar with a support for something? Which would explain why the pod-bird is looking a bit weak in the knees.:playful:
     
  12. NewEngland

    NewEngland Well-Known Member

    Thank you, AJ.
     
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  13. Firemandk

    Firemandk Well-Known Member

    Any Jewelry likes this.
  14. NewEngland

    NewEngland Well-Known Member

    It could be a pangolin (a creature I never heard of until recently), or a sea monster.
     
  15. i need help

    i need help Moderator Moderator

    Any Jewelry and NewEngland like this.
  16. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Have it tested for covid.:nurse:
    Many Hindu mythical beasts have scales, and many are composite animals, to represent land-water-air, that kind of thing.
    It doesn't look powerful enought to be a Garuda. The way it is carved, it could be a bird that hides and plays tricks.
     
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  17. i need help

    i need help Moderator Moderator

    He’s Tricky Alright! :hilarious:
     
    Any Jewelry likes this.
  18. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    And hiding his true identity from us, so there you have it!:p
     
    i need help likes this.
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