Oil Lamp, saucer shaped
Production date
Circa 4 BCE
Country
Cyprus
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Object detail
Description
Lamp, saucer shaped. Broad bowl with unevenly flattened base, hand-fettled underneath. Wide flat rim, folded upward and pinched to form wick-rest. Buff clay with black grits, thick buff yellow slip. Surface heavily encrusted. Signs of burning in bowl and on wick rest. (Webb, Jennifer M., 1997 "Corpus of Cypriote Antiquities", Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology, Vol. XX: p. 13).
Classification
LIGHTING Kerosene & Oil oil lamp
ARCHAEOLOGY Cypriot
ARCHAEOLOGY Cypriot
Production date
Circa 4 BCE
Production place
Measurements
L130mm x W130mm x D33mm
Media/Materials description
Buff clay with black grits, thick buff yellow slip
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
H647
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