Deccan Oil Container 01

This is a Deccan, repousse and cast brass lamp oil container from North Karnataka. The piece has a rounded ribbed body with a plain band around its centre. The two handles are in the shape of yalis (or lions) that are biting their own tails. The long, tapering spout unscrews so it can be refilled. To the side of the spout is a hook like piece in the shape of a parakeet with a long tail, which would have been used to rest the finger when pouring the oil. At the bottom of the spout are simple engraved petals, or chevrons, which are repeated at the base. Such vessels were used in palaces and elsewhere to re-fill oil lamps and torches.