The first mould-made lamps started appearing at the beginning of the third century BC and quickly began to compete with wheel-made lamps, which were far more work intensive and generally undecorated. These lamps were made in two halves, each of which comprised a layer of damp clay, impressed in a mould before the two halves of the mould were pressed together. This allowed for the mass reproduction of oil lamps, as well as greater versatility in their size, shape, and decoration. Examples of this particular mould-made lamp are linked to the ‘Ephesus’ type lamps, which are thought to have originated in Asia Minor. The long, slender nozzle, with its anvil-shaped tip, flanked by volutes, suggests that this lamp originated in Egypt in the first century BC.
Dolphins were recognised in antiquity as friendly and helpful creatures, and are a staple feature in the art, jewellery, literature and mythology of the region. In Ancient Greek and Roman mythology, dolphins were associated with the sea and with the sphere of sensual love, bearing an amatory symbolism. Because of the assonance between the ancient Greek word delphis, δελφίς, meaning dolphin, and the word delphus, δελφύς, meaning womb, dolphins were considered animals sacred to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, fertility and desire.
To discover more about oil lamps in Antiquity, please visit our relevant blog post: Lighting The Way.
