Indian Oil Spoon with Naga Handle, Based

A slender golden ladle topped by a hooded snake head, standing proud on a black base.

This brass oil spoon with naga handle on a base is from Karnataka, South India, and dates to the late 19th or early 20th century. Cast brass spoons like this form were generally made for pouring oil in worship, with the handle shaped by lost-wax casting and finished by hand. A long handle begins with a hooded head with fine detail and runs down past a small knotted collar to a round, shallow cup. The surface is glossy yellow with dusty patches inside the bowl. It is 1.75 inches wide, 1.5 deep and 5.5 high.

Stylish at both ends, which is harder to find than it sounds.