Byzantine Terracotta Oil Lamp
£ 175.00
A finely moulded, Byzantine, terracotta oil lamp. The lamp features an almond-shaped body, which tapers to a rounded point. The ridged shoulders surround the discus, with a wide channel in the centre, divided by a double raised ridge. A small conical, lug handle is attached to the top of the lamp. The reverse of the lamp features a flat base.
Date: Circa 5th - 7th Century AD
Provenance: Ex Jacob Shacham collection, Caesarea.
Condition: Fine and complete, with small chips mainly to the high ridged area, and some superficial scratches consistent with age. The lamp is covered with earthy encrustations.
In stock
This particular lamp, with its almond shaped body was popular in the Beth Shean Valley, having been found there extensively. Decoration was usually linear, with striations covering the majority of the body. Geometric patterns were used to intersperse the pattern occasionally. The reverse of the lamps did vary slightly depending on the region they were found, with some having a more rounded bottom. This type of lamp also exists at the same time as the Samaritan type.
To discover more about oil lamps in Antiquity, please visit our relevant blog post: Lighting The Way.
