Rare Antiquities & Ancient Artifacts

Late Roman/ Early Byzantine Period Oil lamp (Syro-Palestine)

This terracotta oil lamp dates from 500-650 AD.

The measurements are 4″ x 2.5″ x 2″ (10x6x5 cm)

Well decorated oil lamp with a draped leaf pattern around the oil feed hole and wick-end, some red slip coloring still visible underneath, otherwise great condition.

Wicks were made out of a variety of fibrous materials including linen, papyrus, mullein, and oakum. The fuel was poured into the body of the lamp through a filling hole and the wick was placed in the body of the lamp. When the wick was lit, the oil burned and a flame was produced out of the hole in the nozzle. With this design, the lamps could be refilled without extinguishing the flame.

Click here for the History of Oil lamps