A Sri Lankan Cresset (at-pandam)

The bronze bowl with a lacquered wood handle

18/19thC

Length; 29″ (74.0 cm)

Condition; normal wear

Cressets were used at night, to burn oily rags and resin.

The bowl being held close to the ground so as to light the way.

See ‘Medieval Sinhalese Medieval Art’ Ananda K. Coomaraswamy P 204, Pl XLV