Indian Hanging Oil Lamp

Hanging lamp with a wide dish, a little ring on top and a hook-ended chain.

This brass hanging oil lamp from India is from India, and dates to the mid 19th or early 20th century. Traditional lamps burn oil, such as sesame or ghee, drawn up through a cotton wick that sits in a small reservoir or spout. Flat-rimmed dish on a flared foot supports a turned, vase-like column topped by a hinged ring and a small finial. A heavy chain trails from the column and ends in a bent hook. The surface is dull yellow-gold. It is 30 inches high and 6.5 in diameter.

Made to hang about, and it does so well.