{"product_id":"11-inch-peacock-samai-lamps","title":"11-Inch Peacock Design Samai Oil Lamps (Pair)","description":"\u003cp\u003eA samai is the standing oil lamp lit at the start of a puja — a cup for oil and a wick on a turned stem, so the flame sits above the altar rather than on it. This pair stands 11 inches tall, engraved with peacocks, and is the table-height option in our lamp range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProduct details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSold as a pair\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeight: 11 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiya cup diameter: 5.5 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 844 g for the pair (approx. 1.9 lb)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial: brass, nickel-plated and oxidised to an antique silver finish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecoration: engraved peacock and floral work\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHandmade in India\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot dishwasher safe\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy this one\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSold as a pair,\u003c\/strong\u003e which is how samai are traditionally used — one either side of the deity, not a single lamp off-centre.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e11 inches, which is mandir-shelf height.\u003c\/strong\u003e Tall enough to lift the flame clear of the offerings, short enough to fit under a shelf above.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeacock engraving\u003c\/strong\u003e worked around the stem and the cup rather than applied as a separate ornament.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e844 g for the pair.\u003c\/strong\u003e Weighted at the foot so a lit lamp does not tip if the altar is knocked.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich one do I need\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree heights of lamp, all sold in pairs:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/antique-silver-oil-lamp-samai-with-peacock-and-elephant-base-traditional-home-decor\"\u003e16-inch elephant samai\u003c\/a\u003e — a pair, elephant base, $249\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/28-nilavilakku-oil-lamp-samai-with-peacock-antique-silver\"\u003e28-inch nilavilakku\u003c\/a\u003e — a pair, floor-standing, $525\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight is the whole decision. Table lamps sit on a mandir shelf or an altar; the 28-inch stands on the floor beside a doorway or a shrine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere it works\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA home mandir, one either side of the deity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA dining table for Diwali\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn entryway console, lit at dusk\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKarthigai Deepam and Navratri\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA wedding or griha pravesh ceremony\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGifting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA pair of samai is one of the most traditional gifts for a new home, because lighting the first lamp is part of moving in. It suits griha pravesh, a wedding, Diwali and Karthigai Deepam. Plain packaging with no price on it. If you need several pairs for a temple or a community event, get in touch before ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this one lamp or two?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTwo. The price is for the pair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat oil and wick do I use?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSesame oil or ghee with a cotton wick is traditional; any lamp oil works. Fill the cup no more than about two thirds so it does not spill when the wick is lit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use a tealight instead of oil?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The cup is 5.5 inches across, so a tealight sits in it easily, though an oil flame is what the shape is designed for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does it compare to your taller lamps?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is the table one. The 16-inch elephant samai is a bigger version of the same idea, and the 28-inch nilavilakku stands on the floor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this German silver?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot literally, and we would rather say so plainly. German silver — also sold as nickel silver — is a copper, nickel and zinc alloy that contains no silver in it at all. This piece is brass, nickel-plated and then oxidised so the darkening settles into the recesses of the engraving. A lot of this category gets sold as German silver regardless of what is actually underneath, so it is worth knowing which you are buying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill the plating survive the heat?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The flame sits in the cup and the temperature stays well below anything that would harm the finish. Wipe out oil residue once it has cooled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I clean it after use?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLet it cool, tip out any oil, and wipe with a soft dry cloth. Do not put it in the dishwasher and do not use abrasive scourers or acidic cleaners — they will cut through the plating. Store it in a sealed plastic bag between festivals; that slows tarnishing more than anything else you can do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it tarnish?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSilver plating darkens over time, and the antique finish is designed to sit in the recesses and deepen the pattern as it does. That is the intended look. If you want it brighter, a light buff with a dry cloth on the raised areas will lift it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I order several for an event?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — get in touch before you order if you need more than a few. We can usually help on price for larger quantities and confirm stock before you commit to a date.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat if it arrives damaged?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvery order is insured. Photograph the box and the piece and contact us, and we will sort out a replacement or a refund.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShipping\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFree insured shipping across the USA and Canada. Ships from San Ramon, California, usually within one business day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse the rest of the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/german-silver-housewarming-decor\"\u003eAntique Silver\u003c\/a\u003e range, or our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/indian-festive-decor\"\u003eDiwali \u0026amp; Festive Decor\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Urli Utsav Decor","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41498420281395,"sku":"silver-samai-peacock-pair","price":149.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0579\/1534\/2899\/files\/oillamp-antiquesilver7.jpg?v=1770693081","url":"https:\/\/urliutsav.com\/products\/11-inch-peacock-samai-lamps","provider":"Urli Utsav","version":"1.0","type":"link"}