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16-Inch Elephant Design Samai Oil Lamps (Pair)

16-Inch Elephant Design Samai Oil Lamps (Pair)

$249.00
$249.00
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A samai is the standing oil lamp lit at the start of a puja. This pair stands 16.5 inches tall on a base formed as an elephant, with a peacock finial rising behind the oil cup — the most worked of our three lamp designs, and the one that reads as a sculpture as much as a lamp.

Product details

  • Sold as a pair
  • Height: 16.5 inches
  • Diya cup diameter: 7.5 inches
  • Weight: 1,600 g for the pair (approx. 3.5 lb)
  • Material: copper, nickel-plated and oxidised to an antique silver finish
  • Decoration: cast elephant base, peacock finial, engraved cup
  • Handmade in India
  • Not dishwasher safe

Why this one

  • The base is an elephant, cast in the round. Not an engraving of one — the lamp actually stands on the animal.
  • Peacock finial behind the cup, so the lamp has a silhouette even before it is lit.
  • 16.5 inches and 1,600 g for the pair. Substantial enough to flank a doorway or an altar rather than sit on a shelf.
  • 7.5-inch oil cup, the largest on the two table lamps, so it holds enough oil to burn through an evening ceremony without refilling.

Which one do I need

Three heights of lamp, all sold in pairs:

Height 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.

Where it works

  • Either side of a home mandir or a shrine
  • Flanking an entrance for Diwali
  • A wedding stage or a mandap edge
  • A console table, lit for Karthigai Deepam
  • A puja room floor arrangement

Gifting

The elephant base makes this the one people choose when they want the gift to be looked at, not just used. It suits a wedding, a griha pravesh, a significant anniversary and Diwali. Plain packaging with no price on it. Temples and event decorators order these in multiple pairs — get in touch before ordering and we will confirm stock against your date.

Frequently asked questions

Is this one lamp or two?
Two. The price is for the pair.
Is the elephant a separate piece?
No. The base is cast as one with the lamp, so there is nothing to assemble and nothing that can come loose.
What oil and wick do I use?
Sesame 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.
How does it compare to the other two lamps?
Height and detail. The 11-inch peacock samai is the plain table version; this is the sculptural one at mid height; the 28-inch nilavilakku is floor-standing.
Is this German silver?
Not 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 copper, 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.
Can I use tealights?
Yes, though at 7.5 inches the cup is wide for a single tealight — it looks better with oil and a wick, or three tealights together.
Will it stand steady?
Yes. The elephant base is the widest part of the lamp and the weight sits low.
How do I clean it after use?
Let 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.
Will it tarnish?
Silver 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.
Can I order several for an event?
Yes — 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.
What if it arrives damaged?
Every order is insured. Photograph the box and the piece and contact us, and we will sort out a replacement or a refund.

Shipping

Free insured shipping across the USA and Canada. Ships from San Ramon, California, usually within one business day.

Browse the rest of the Antique Silver range, or our Diwali & Festive Decor.

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