Holy Land Pottery Oil Lamp

Umayyad Empire, Early Byzantine Period, c. 600-700AD, Holy Land.

This fabulous mold-made terracotta oil lamp is an exquisite example of ancient craftsmanship, reflecting the artistic and cultural influences of the Early Byzantine and Umayyad periods. Its pointed oval body and prominent conical handle combine elegance with utility, making it a quintessential piece of the era.

The top of the lamp features a large filling hole (discus) framed by a pronounced rim and adorned with a delicate palm branch motif—a symbol of peace and prosperity in many ancient traditions. Vertical ribbing embellishes the shoulders, while a channel encircles the fill hole, adding texture and depth to the design. The reverse is intricately decorated with raised palm branch and cross motifs, further emphasizing the lamp’s religious and cultural significance. Its circular base ring incorporates a raised nine-spoked wheel, completing the design with symmetry and purpose.

Terracotta oil lamps like this were essential in both domestic and sacred settings, used in temples, churches, synagogues, and mosques. They provided illumination using a plant-fiber or linen wick set in a reservoir of castor or sesame oil. Frequently decorated with symbolic motifs, these lamps served as both functional objects and conveyors of spiritual meaning. This particular lamp, likely originating from Khirbet el-Mefjer near Ain el-Sultan, Jericho, reflects the profound shifts in material culture that accompanied the Muslim conquest of the region in the 7th century AD. Widely used throughout the Umayyad period, its design speaks to the blending of artistic traditions and the enduring legacy of the Holy Land’s diverse communities. A remarkable artifact, this lamp offers a glimpse into the daily life, artistry, and spiritual expressions of ancient civilizations.

Good condition. Age-related wear with light deposits. Chip and abrasion around the wick hole. Nozzle had even traces of soot. Gorgeous patina. Size approx. 9,0cm x 7,9cm x 4,6cm.

Provenance: Danish private collection. 

For a similar examples see:

Lamp, The British Museum, Accession Number: OA+.13900 (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/W_OA-13900)

References and further reading:

Light and Life: Ancient Christian Oil Lamps of the Holyland (Studium Biblicum S.) Stanislao Loffreda, Franciscan Printing Press, 2001.