Indian Brass Oil Lamp

Round ball on a long stem looks like a lollipop that went to finishing school.

This brass oil lamp is from India, and dates to the 20th century. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc that casts easily and polishes to a warm gold colour, and it is the usual metal for Indian lamps and ritual vessels. Bright golden sphere with a slightly flattened equator sits on a slim turned stem. A small neck and finial top it, and a wide stepped foot anchors the base. The surface is smooth and polished with soft ring moldings. It is 7.75 inches high and 3.5 in diameter.

Balanced, buffed and delightfully top-heavy, like a proud toddler.