Indian Brass Oil Lamp

Dark, lathe-turned and as plain as a chess pawn with a stern collar.

This brass oil lamp is from India, and dates to the 20th century. A simple lamp holds oil and a cotton wick in a small basin, and the flame rises from the tip of the wick as the oil burns. Slim, tapering vessel in deep brown with a flat collar ring near the top and a short stepped finial. Fine grooves circle the middle and a wide flared foot supports it. The surface is dark, smooth and evenly aged. It is 7 inches high and 3.4 in diameter.

Straightforward, sombre, neatly turned and not remotely flashy.