Late Hellenistic, Egyptian Terracotta Oil Lamp with Two Side Lugs

£ 120.00

A fine Late Hellenistic, Egyptian terracotta oil lamp featuring two side lugs and an intricate decorative engraving. The lamp features a biconical body, which extends from a rounded rear to two angular shoulders before tapering to a conical nozzle. The wick-hole is relatively large and is encircled by a rounded rim. At the centre is a small filling hole surrounded by a circular ridge, beyond which lies a band of short radiate linear incisions. The shoulder has been intricately engraved with floral and foliage motifs along with four raised shapes, likely rosettes. Two softly curving ridges and a central linear ridge line the curvature of the nozzle. The lamp rests upon a flat circular foot. The reverse is unadorned. Some earthy encrustations and wear to the surface consistent with age. Soot residue is visible at the nozzle tip and on the right-hand side lug.

Date: Circa 120-100 BC
Provenance: Ex. Dr Magdy Collection, 1970s, UK.
Condition: Very fine. Wear and earthy encrustations to the surface. Soot reside to the nozzle tip and the right-hand lug.

SOLD

SKU: KW-122 Category: Tag:

This shaped oil lamp was popular from the 3rd–1st century BC, prolific during the Hellenistic period. This example heralds the rise of mould-made lamps, which 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. Mould-made lamps were preceded by wheelmade lamps, and did not start appearing until the beginning of the third century BC. This new method allowed for mass reproduction of oil lamps, as well as greater versatility in their size, shape, and decoration. Examples of this particular shape are linked to ‘Ephesus’ type lamps and are thought to have originated in Asia Minor. Classification is still quite fluid, due in part to the many variants found on examples. This piece, with it’s dark red colouring, suggests an Egyptian origin. Asia Minor examples are often made using grey clay, in comparison.

To discover more about oil lamps in Antiquity, please visit our relevant blog post: Lighting The Way.

Weight 38.59 g
Dimensions L 7.4 x W 5.5 x H 2.2 cm
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Pottery and Porcelain

Reference: For a similar item,The Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, item AN1948.255

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