This great looking item is an antique oil lamp filler. It would have been used in the late 1800's for topping off old oil and kerosene lamps. It is made of brass and copper and it has an elegant shape. These are typically found with nickel plating. This doesn't look as though it were ever plated. The domed lid on the top unscrews to fill the bowl. The small plunger toward the front of the handle is depressed to allow air into the chamber while pouring out of the spout. The bottom it is marked; S.STERNAU & CO. – Pat'd May 12 ‘96.
It measures about 5 1/16” tall to the top of the filler cap and 5 ½” to the top of the spout. The base measures about 2 5/8” in diameter and it measures about 7 7/8” across from end of spout to outer edge of the cast handle. It is in very nice condition with minimal wear. There are a couple of very small dents on the body and a order few minor dents on the lid. As previously stated this is not nickel plated. It may have been but if so this is the best job I've seen of nickel stripping.
The pictures are not shown at actual size. Please refer to the description for actual measurements.
Product code: Antique Elegant Decorated 8x6 inch By S. STERNAU & CO - 1896 order Patent Copper Oil Filler