Pair Of Carved, Painted, And Gilded Wooden Wall Sconces

A pair of small gilded wooden wall sconces converted into lamps in the mid-20th century.

The carved wooden elements are derived from older architectural features in Indonesia, particularly in Java and Bali, where these carved pieces originally formed part of traditional structures such as Gebyok door panels, supporting corbels, or lintels.

They combine Hindu, Buddhist, and animist influences.

In fact, the combination of vermilion red and gilding has historically been reserved for royal palaces and sacred spaces, to honor the deities and ward off evil spirits.

The carved motif depicts a “Vase of Abundance” from which sacred flowers—often lotus or frangipani—sprout, symbolizing fertility and the flow of vital energy in local tradition. This motif is very characteristic of Javanese architectural woodwork.

These objects were often used as decorative panels or oil lamp holders in traditional homes of the wealthy or those influenced by Sino-Indonesian colonial architecture, and were later electrified for modern use.