Old African (?) Iron Oil Lamp - Mystery

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Robski
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2019 8:52 pm

Old African (?) Iron Oil Lamp - Mystery

Post by Robski »

Greetings All

I have had this for years and have always thought it was cool and out of the ordinary. It is an Iron Oil Lamp (?) in the form of a dragon or something similar. It shows a lot of age and is riveted in construction. When I bought it the seller said it was found in a barn in Pennsylvania and could be local folk art.

To me it looks African but I have not found anything similar. Been stumped for 20 years.

Any Ideas???

Best Regards
Rob
Attachments
Lamp 3.jpg
Lamp 2.jpg
Lamp 1.jpg
Lamp 4.jpg


Julien
Posts: 48
Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2018 10:43 pm

Re: Old African (?) Iron Oil Lamp - Mystery

Post by Julien »

I think its a tool for making black ash for tattooing, probably from Indonesia
Robski
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2019 8:52 pm

Re: Old African (?) Iron Oil Lamp - Mystery

Post by Robski »

Thank You!!!!!

Yes, it is a Kroe Pesihungan from Southern Sumatra used pre-1900 for producing tooth blackening ash.

Your help was invaluable!!!

Cheers
Rob
Julien
Posts: 48
Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2018 10:43 pm

Re: Old African (?) Iron Oil Lamp - Mystery

Post by Julien »

you are welcome :)
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