Description
This four-spouted oil lamp (suspected bronze) was obtained in 2012 in Southeast Asia. When purchased the metal was very dark and appeared white with tarnish, which I cleaned with a metal cleaning oil. There are no recognizable manufacturing markings. Feels heavy for its size, about 5 pounds. Appears to be a cat-like head where the oil is poured. Bird appears to be purched on the handle. Appears very old due to some pitting in the metal. Though the handle appears to have been cast in a mold, the slight irregularities in the spouts may suggest hand-tempering. Despite my efforts I have been unable to get the metal to shine.
Re: Bronze/Brass Oil Lamp Asia
There are a lot of modern copies of these lamps- especially ones with feline headed lids. I don't entirely like the lettering which as you say is blocky. I would normally expect an early example to have more fluid calligraphy. I don't really feel confident about the decorative band at the base either. But, overall, I think it stands a reasonable chance of being 12th-13th century. Its good news that you can't remove the patination. It suggests that it has been there for a long time. Now stop polishing it!! Or if it is an original you will SERIOUSLY depreciate its value by taking away the genuine age and colour. Even if it isn't a fake, it wil end up looking like one!