Vase - black and gold

[Ellenshar]

I was given this vase as a gift years ago - I was told it came from a fine jeweller's store and was quite expensive.  There is no name on it.  I have done some checking on-line and it appears similar ones were made in India - but they are sold for very little.  I find the gold detailing exquisite and can't figure out how it could have such fine detailing and cost so little - unless they are somehow mass produced (or cheap labour).  Any ideas on what I should be looking for in terms of who it was made by, and where it came from?  I think it is brass but am not sure.

[D&b antiques]

it look's like a typical import. $35.00 Dollars or so.