{"product_id":"16-inch-elephant-samai-lamps","title":"16-Inch Elephant Design Samai Oil Lamps (Pair)","description":"\u003cp\u003eA 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.\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: 16.5 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiya cup diameter: 7.5 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 1,600 g for the pair (approx. 3.5 lb)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial: copper, nickel-plated and oxidised to an antique silver finish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecoration: cast elephant base, peacock finial, engraved cup\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\u003eThe base is an elephant, cast in the round.\u003c\/strong\u003e Not an engraving of one — the lamp actually stands on the animal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeacock finial behind the cup,\u003c\/strong\u003e so the lamp has a silhouette even before it is lit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e16.5 inches and 1,600 g for the pair.\u003c\/strong\u003e Substantial enough to flank a doorway or an altar rather than sit on a shelf.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e7.5-inch oil cup,\u003c\/strong\u003e the largest on the two table lamps, so it holds enough oil to burn through an evening ceremony without refilling.\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-traditional-home-decor\"\u003e11-inch peacock samai\u003c\/a\u003e — a pair, table height, $149\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\u003eEither side of a home mandir or a shrine\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlanking an entrance for Diwali\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA wedding stage or a mandap edge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA console table, lit for Karthigai Deepam\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA puja room floor arrangement\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGifting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\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\u003eIs the elephant a separate piece?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. The base is cast as one with the lamp, so there is nothing to assemble and nothing that can come loose.\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\u003eHow does it compare to the other two lamps?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHeight 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.\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 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use tealights?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it stand steady?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The elephant base is the widest part of the lamp and the weight sits low.\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":41498384629811,"sku":"samai-elephant-pair","price":249.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0579\/1534\/2899\/files\/elephantoillamp-antiquesilver1.jpg?v=1770749951","url":"https:\/\/urliutsav.com\/products\/16-inch-elephant-samai-lamps","provider":"Urli Utsav","version":"1.0","type":"link"}