Indian Brass Oil Lamp

That long, dotted spout reaches out like a crocodile that took up jewellery.

This brass oil lamp is from India, and dates to the 19th century. A traditional lamp has a shallow bowl for the oil, a spout or channel for the wick and often a handle or stand. Tall rounded body with a flared rope-edged mouth balances a long spout covered in rows of small raised dots, ending in a knobbed tip. Bands of fine pattern run around the shoulder and belly. The surface is dull gold with green flecks near the base. It is 5 inches wide, 3 deep and 3.5 high.

Proudly overdecorated spout, and no one dares tell it.