Esoteric gargoyle antique oil lamp and incense burner
Esoteric gargoyle antique oil lamp and incense burner
Esoteric gargoyle antique oil lamp and incense burner
Esoteric gargoyle antique oil lamp and incense burner

Esoteric gargoyle antique oil lamp and incense burner

Regular price $485 Sale price $585

What a bizarre and striking artifact! Careful inspection suggests that this antiquated device is both an oil lamp and an incense burner. Removal of the creature's tail reveals a cavity which could hold a small amount of oil. A wick could run from the nozzle in the creature's mouth to the oil at the bottom of the horn and carry a steady flame.

The creature's removable tail features what appears to be a long, thin rod for checking the oil level. At the tip of the rod there is a bit of cotton-like material housed in a small cage. The tail, it seems, doubles as an incense lighter. Once the main flame is burning, the oil-soaked cotton on the end of the rod can probably be used to light incense in the bowl on top.

The strange artifact seems to be made of white metal and coated with a thin layer of bronze. Its age is the subject of ongoing research. It's certainly an antique, but probably not more than two centuries old. The bottom of the right foot is marked "NR," with unknown significance.

The device is about 9" long, 6 1/4" tall, and 4" wide. It weighs about 2 3/4 pounds.



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