Title
Ceremonial oil lamp
Year/Period
Late 19th century
Region
Singapore
Object Type
Dimension
Object size: H46 x W14.1 x D16.4 cm
Accession No.
2007-55867
Collection of
This ceremonial oil lamp or 'pelita sam kai' consists of two parts - a carved wooden hexagonal base, often gilded and inlaid with mother-of-pearl and a glass candy jar fixed atop it. This piece however consists of a namwood base. Peranakans in Singapore and Malacca used these rare ceremonial oil lamps only during weddings and 'Ting Kong seh' or the birthday of Ting Kong, the Jade Emperor. When used, the jars were often filled with water and a red colouring with the cover inverted and filled with oil. A wick was then placed on the cover and lit.
