Light through the ages
Simple Roman Oil Lamp
Oil lamps were one of the most common household items of ancient times. Lamps made of stone or shell were used as early as the Stone Age. Ceramic lamps like this one were used all over the Mediterranean area from 2000 B.C. through the Middle Ages. They were used to burn oil, usually a plant oil such as olive oil that was abundant.
The lamp used a wick, made from fibers such as linen or papyrus, that was inserted into the body of the lamp. The end of the wick rested in the nozzle. The oil was poured into the lamp though the filling hole on top of its body. The wick was lit and a small flame was emitted from the tip of the wick resting in the nozzle. The lamp could be set on any flat surface but was also portable and could be carried in a person's hand.
Lamps were made using a two-part mold. Wet clay was pressed into each half of the mold and then the two halves were joined together. They were allowed to dry slightly, and then the molds were removed and the oil-hole and wick-hole were pierced by hand. Finally, the lamp was fired in a kiln for up to two days.
Lamps could be decorated with almost any scene, from divinities to animals to abstract decoration.
Sometimes, on the lamp's base is what is called a "maker's mark", which was a symbol or name indicating the specific workshop that created the lamp. This can be useful for archaeologists, because it can sometimes tell us where and when the lamp was made.
Courtesy of Chris Brewer
Decorated Roman Oil Lamp
Oil lamps were one of the most common household items of ancient times. Lamps made of stone or shell were used as early as the Stone Age. Ceramic lamps like this one were used all over the Mediterranean area from 2000 B.C. through the Middle Ages. They were used to burn oil, usually a plant oil such as olive oil that was abundant.
The lamp used a wick, made from fibers such as linen or papyrus, that was inserted into the body of the lamp. The end of the wick rested in the nozzle. The oil was poured into the lamp though the filling hole on top of its body. The wick was lit and a small flame was emitted from the tip of the wick resting in the nozzle. The lamp could be set on any flat surface but was also portable and could be carried in a person's hand.
Lamps were made using a two-part mold. Wet clay was pressed into each half of the mold and then the two halves were joined together. They were allowed to dry slightly, and then the molds were removed and the oil-hole and wick-hole were pierced by hand. Finally, the lamp was fired in a kiln for up to two days.
Lamps could be decorated with almost any scene, from divinities to animals to abstract decoration.
Sometimes, on the lamp's base is what is called a "maker's mark", which was a symbol or name indicating the specific workshop that created the lamp. This can be useful for archaeologists, because it can sometimes tell us where and when the lamp was made.
This work is based on "Retopology Example: Roman Oil Lamp" by Daniel O'Neil licensed under CC-BY-4.0
Victorian Brass Oil Lamp
The middle of the 19th century
This work is based on "Victorian Brass Oil Lamp" by Tijerín Art Studio licensed under CC-BY-4.0