Indian Brass Oil Lamp

A small tray lamp with a cross on a heart-shaped backplate fringed in spikes.

This brass oil lamp is from Karnataka, South India, and dates to the 20th century. It is brass, copper & alloy. Oil lamps of brass and copper alloy have long been used in South Indian homes and shrines, where a small flame is often lit as part of daily devotions. A shallow, boat-like basin rises at the back into a spade-shaped plate carrying a raised cross with squared arms. A row of short spines edges the plate, and a pointed finial crowns it. Dark gold, scuffed in places. It is 3.1 inches wide, 3.8 deep and 3.75 high.

A tiny sunburst with a lot of opinions about symmetry.