Indian Wood Bottle Stopper, Based

Warm ochre ridges climb a spire that narrows to a point.

This carved wood bottle stopper with a base is from Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, and dates to the 19th century. Rajasthan has a deep tradition of carved wooden objects, from architectural brackets and doors to small household items made in the cities and towns of the region. Tightly grooved rings rise to a rounded tip above a four-sided lantern form. Tall, narrow slits run down each face, ending in pointed arches. The surface is a light orange-tan with a matte, lightly handled look, and a tapered stem sits on a black base. It is 2.5 inches wide, 2.5 deep and 10 high.

A lantern that has never needed a candle.