c. 7th-8th Century A.D.

Mold made using reddish buff clay, comprised of tear shaped body with ring base. Ornamented with birds and animals in discus, star decoration on base. Remains of red paint. In very good and original condition.

3.58 x 3.35 x 1.22 inches (9.5 x 8.5 x 3.1 cms)

Custom lucite stand, worldwide shipping and Certificate of Authenticity included in price.

Export Approval from Israel Antiquities Authority.

Bibliography:
Qedem 8 , “Ancient Lamps in the Schloessinger Collection”, (Jerusalem, 1978).

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The lamp, in the form of a small clay bowl in which oil was burned, was the most common form of domestic lighting from very early times. As olive oil was plentiful in Palestine, this was the fuel normally used in lamps. “As thou shalt command the children of Yisra’el, that they bring pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always” (Exodus 27:20); the wick was usually made of flax.
According to the Mishna, a much greater variety of oils was used for lighting during the Roman period, included oils extracted from sesame seeds, nuts, horseradish and vegetable resins: naptha (an inflammable oil, obtained by dry distillation of coal, shale, etc.) is also mentioned

Antiquities
Ancient Near East