Indian Oil Spoon with Naga Handle, Based

A long ladle with a twisted, rope-like stem and a serpent hood at the top.

This brass oil spoon with naga handle on a base is from Karnataka, South India, and dates to the late 19th or early 20th century. Cast brass spoons like this form were generally made for pouring oil in worship, with the handle shaped by lost-wax casting and finished by hand. Two strands twist around each other along most of the handle, leaving small open gaps. A hooded head rises at one end and a round, shallow cup ends the other. The surface is dusty brown and gold, mounted on a black base. It is 1.75 inches wide, 1.5 deep and 6.5 high.

Twisted all the way down, in the nicest possible sense.