Indian Brass Oil Lamp

Dark, sulky, and thoroughly patterned around the middle, with a spout pointing off like a sharp opinion.

This brass oil lamp is from India, and dates to the 19th century. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, and its warm golden color made it a common choice for household vessels and lamps in South Asia. The body is a deep, nearly black brown with a wide flared lip and a stout foot ring. A band of lumpy relief motifs runs around the widest part, and the long spout rises in a gentle slope with a ribbed collar near the tip. It is 2.5 inches wide, 4 deep and 2.75 high.

Moody on the outside, carefully decorated all the way round.