Oil Lamp, mould made, lion motif
Country
Cyprus
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Object detail
Description
Lamp, made in a plaster mould. Circular with raised sides, narrow rim and concave discus. Rather long rounded nozzle with volutes. Slightly concave base offset by groove. Three encircling grooves demarcating rim and discus. On discus indistinct impression showing leaping lion in profile left with large fill hole below belly. Y-shaped ridge on nozzle between volute, smooth buff brown clay with brown slip, uneven fired to mottled appearance. Unglazed. Body and nozzle mended with small fragments missing. Knife pairing below shoulder the two halves of the mould fitting badly together. No signs of use. (Webb, Jennifer M., "Corpus of Cypriote Antiquities", Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology, Vol. XX: p 15)
Lamp - Oil: Figure of a lion on upper discus. Concentric circles around rim of upper. Fluted decoration on nozzle. Considerable repair work.
Lamp - Oil: Figure of a lion on upper discus. Concentric circles around rim of upper. Fluted decoration on nozzle. Considerable repair work.
Classification
LIGHTING Kerosene & Oil oil lamp
ARCHAEOLOGY Cypriot
ARCHAEOLOGY Cypriot
Production place
Measurements
L89mm x W61mm x D23mm
Media/Materials description
Smooth buff brown clay with brown slip, unglazed.
Signature/Marks
manufacture
decoration
decoration
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 Cypriot lamp was made from a copied mould of an Italian original.
Associated person
Registration number
H636
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