Oil Lamp, mould made, wreath motif
Production date
Circa 1st Century CE
Country
Cyprus
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Object detail
Description
Lamp, mould made. Circular with high sloping shoulder, very narrow rim and concave discus with central fill hole. Short rounded nozzle with volutes. Flat base defined by groove. Three encircling grooves on rim. On discus oak wreath fastened at top, around a rayed band and three concentric mouldings surrounding fill-hole, all sharply defined. Smooth pale brown clay with unevenly fired red brown to orange glaze on exterior and interior, worn on edges and at wick-hole. No signs of use. (Webb, Jennifer M., 1997 "Corpus of Cypriote Antiquities", Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology, Vol. XX: p 15.)
Classification
ARCHAEOLOGY Cypriot
Production date
Circa 1st Century CE
Production place
Measurements
L88mm x W65mm x D24mm
Media/Materials description
Smooth pale brown clay with unevenly fired red brown to orange glaze on exterior and interior
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
H644
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