Oil Lamp, mould made, peacock and pomegranite motif
Production date
Circa 1 CE
Country
Cyprus
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Object detail
Description
Lamp, made in a plaster mould. Elongated oval body merging with flat-topped rounded nozzle. Low sloping sides, narrow rim and deep concave discus. Slightly concave base defined by groove. Pierced knob handle. Single ended volutes on rim at junction with nozzle with impressed dots at one end. Ridge demarcating discus and rim. On rim, poorly defined band of impressed ovules. On discus, also poorly defined, peacock in profile right, perched on branch with two pomegranites at end. Fill-hole below branch. Pale buff clay with light brown slip. Unglazed. Knife pairing below shoulder and on nozzle. (Webb, Jennifer M., "Corpus of Cypriote Antiquities", Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology, Vol. XX: 16).
Classification
LIGHTING Kerosene & Oil oil lamp
ARCHAEOLOGY Cypriot
ARCHAEOLOGY Cypriot
Production date
Circa 1 CE
Production place
Measurements
L91mm x W55mm x D33mm
Media/Materials description
Pale buff clay with light brown slip.
Signature/Marks
decoration
decoration
manufacture
decoration
manufacture
History and use
The need to extend daylight hours has always been with us. Before the advent of electricity, allowing a space to be illuminated with the simple flick of a switch, light was achieved by the use of a candle or a lamp. Artificial lighting via candles and lamps was widespread through the ancient world. Lamps were utilised in private and public buildings, in temples and sanctuaries, in street lighting and in ceremonies. This lamp was manufactured in Cyprus, using a mould taken from an imported original.
Associated person
Registration number
H634
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