Oil Lamp, mould made, ivy leaf motif
Production date
Circa 1 CE
Country
Cyprus
See full details
Object detail
Description
Lamp, made in a plaster mould. Wide sloping shoulder, plain concave discus with slightly off-centre fill hole. Triangular ended nozzle with large volutes indicated by an offset underneath as well as on top. Slightly raised base marked by groove. Pierced knob handle. Ridge demarcating rim and discus. On rim impressed ivy-leaf pattern, very indistinct. Raised leaf between volutes. Pale brown micaceous clay with buff-brown slip, unevenly fired. Unglazed. Knife-paring below the shoulder and on edges of nozzle. No signs of use. (Webb, Jennifer M., "Corpus of Cypriote Antiquities", Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology, Vol. XX: p. 14)
Classification
LIGHTING Kerosene & Oil oil lamp
ARCHAEOLOGY Cypriot
ARCHAEOLOGY Cypriot
Production date
Circa 1 CE
Production place
Measurements
L82mm x W55mm x D36mm
Media/Materials description
Pale brown micaceous clay with buff-brown slip, unevenly fired. Unglazed.
Signature/Marks
manufacture
decoration
carving
decoration
carving
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 made in Cyprus but modelled on an Italian original.
Associated person
Registration number
H637
Share
