• Antique silver Nilavilakku oil lamp on a table with a woman in a saree arranging jasmine flowers nearby
  • Pair of antique silver peacock oil lamps displayed side by side on a wood table in a dark room
  • Antique silver Nilavilakku oil lamp on a dark background with a 28-inch height measurement graphic
  • Pair of lit antique silver peacock oil lamps on a wood table at dusk with rose petals and incense
  • Front angle product shot of the antique silver peacock Nilavilakku oil lamp on a white background
  • Close-up of the oil lamp's engraved leaf-patterned stem and base on a wood table
  • Lit antique silver peacock oil lamp on a coffee table with a woman resting her hand on a book nearby
  • Pair of antique silver peacock oil lamps side by side on a wood floor against a dark background
  • Close-up angled view of the lamp's peacock finial and lotus-shaped oil tray against a dark background
  • Pair of antique silver peacock Nilavilakku oil lamps displayed together on a plain light background
  • Urli Utsav shipping info graphic – mandir shipped from San Ramon California within 1–5 days US
  • video of Decorative silver oil lamp by urli utsav decor
  • Urli Utsav Decor store branding image – Indian home decor & pooja mandir temple products
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28-Inch Peacock Nilavilakku Oil Lamp (Pair)

28-Inch Peacock Nilavilakku Oil Lamp (Pair)

$525.00
$525.00
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A nilavilakku is the tall floor-standing oil lamp of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, lit at the threshold or beside the shrine so the flame stands at waist height. This pair is 28 inches tall, hand-hammered and engraved with peacocks, and is the largest lamp we make.

Product details

  • Sold as a pair
  • Height: 28 inches
  • Diya cup diameter: 8 inches
  • Weight: 4,250 g for the pair (approx. 9.4 lb)
  • Material: brass, nickel-plated and oxidised to an antique silver finish
  • Decoration: hand-hammered stem with engraved leaf work; peacock detailing
  • Handmade in India
  • Not dishwasher safe

Why this one

  • 28 inches — it stands on the floor, not a table. That is the whole point of a nilavilakku, and it is what separates this from the samai lamps.
  • 4,250 g for the pair — approx. 9.4 lb. A lamp this tall has to be heavy at the foot, and it is.
  • Hand-hammered and engraved, not spun and stamped. The stem carries a leaf pattern the whole way up and the cup is worked with peacocks.
  • 8-inch oil cup, big enough for several wicks at once, which is how these are traditionally lit at a threshold.

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 front door for Diwali or Karthigai Deepam
  • Beside a home shrine or puja room entrance
  • A wedding mandap or a reception entrance
  • A temple or community hall
  • A hallway corner, standing unlit as a permanent piece

Gifting

This is a landmark gift rather than an everyday one — a milestone wedding, a temple donation, a family home. At 28 inches and nearly ten pounds for the pair it is not a piece anyone buys casually, which is exactly what makes it land. Temples and event venues order these in multiples; get in touch before ordering so we can confirm stock against your date and talk about price.

Frequently asked questions

Is this one lamp or two?
Two. The price is for the pair. At 28 inches each, plan the floor space before ordering.
Does it stand on the floor?
Yes. A nilavilakku is a floor lamp. On a table it would put the flame above head height for anyone seated.
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 many wicks does the cup take?
The cup is 8 inches across, so several — five wicks spaced around the rim is the traditional arrangement.
What is the difference between a nilavilakku and a samai?
Mostly height and where it stands. Samai are table and altar lamps; the nilavilakku is the tall floor lamp of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Our samai are 11 and 16.5 inches; this is 28.
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 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.
Does it come apart for storage or shipping?
It ships assembled and is meant to stay that way. Allow for a large box.
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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