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Old African (?) Iron Oil Lamp - Mystery

Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2020 10:28 pm
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

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

Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2020 3:41 pm
by Julien
I think its a tool for making black ash for tattooing, probably from Indonesia

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

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 5:05 am
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

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

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2020 9:06 am
by Julien
you are welcome :)