Deccan Oil Container 03

This is a repousse and cast copper, Deccan lamp oil container from North Karnataka or Maharashtra. This elegant piece has a rounded central body with a tapering top, around which are engraved simple lines of decoration in repeating bands. The tapering spout unscrews so it can be refilled. The S shaped handle ends in a lotus bud finial. To the side of the spout is a hook like piece which would have been used to rest the finger when pouring the oil. Such vessels were used in palaces and elsewhere to re-fill oil lamps and torches.