Indian Wood Bottle Stopper, Based

A tiny cathedral with real windows, perched on a stick and a black plinth.

This carved wood bottle stopper with a base is from Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, and dates to the 19th century. Rajasthan has a deep tradition of carved wooden objects, from architectural brackets and doors to small household items made in the cities and towns of the region. A tall finial narrows to a point above an open, arched pavilion section with square windows cut through the walls. A turned collar leads to a round stem. The surface is deep red-brown with a worn sheen, on a black base. It is 2.5 inches wide, 2.5 deep and 11.5 high.

Small-town ambition, executed with a very sharp knife.