Oil Lamp, mould made, rosette motif
Production date
Circa 4 CE
Country
Cyprus
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Object detail
Description
Lamp, mould made. Slightly oval shape with sloping shoulder, broad rim and concave discus with central fill hole. Very short rounded nozzle. Concave base defined by groove. Upright ring handle, unpierced but with cylindrical plug of clay partially cut out and not pushed through. On rim impressed herringbone wreath, rather indistinct. On discus twelve petallled rosette, arrow decoration around outer rim. Fine pink clay, self slipped. Knife paring below shoulder. No signs of use. (Webb, Jennifer M., 1997 "Corpus of Cypriote Antiquities", Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology, Vol. XX:p 18).
Classification
LIGHTING Kerosene & Oil oil lamp
ARCHAEOLOGY Cypriot
ARCHAEOLOGY Cypriot
Production date
Circa 4 CE
Production place
Measurements
L80mm x W59mm x D34mm
Media/Materials description
Fine pink clay, self slipped.
Signature/Marks
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.
Associated person
Registration number
H640
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