Early Christian Oil Lamp with Cross

$385.00

Molded Oil Lamp from the Early Christian Period

  • From the third century AD
  • Decorated with a cross
  • Early Christian oil lamp
  • IAA Export Approval available.
  • Certificate of authenticity included.

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Description

Clay Oil Lamp from the Early Christian Period

Olive trees grow well in the Mediterranean climate of the Judean hills. Thus, olive oil was a cheap option to provide fuel for light. Small clay lamps contained olive oil, each one with a simple wick to draw the oil through the lamp’s nozzle to the flame. Although early oil lamps were nothing more than a simple dish with a pinched side to create a nozzle, later lamps became more and more elaborate. During the Late Roman and Early Byzantine periods, potters made lamps by pressing clay into intricately-carved molds. These mold-made lamps were easy to manufacture and could depict any variety of designs and decorations. It was during this period that Christianity was spreading throughout the Roman Empire, and this early Christian oil lamp bears a symbol of Christianity: the cross.

“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” – 1 John 1:7

Details:

This early Christian oil lamp has a round body and an elongated nozzle. The body of the lamp bears an intricate decoration of geometric lines and circles. A small triangular nub handle at the back of the lamp allows for controlled carrying of the lamp. On the top of the nozzle is the depiction of a cross. The nozzle of the lamp is blackened, showing that it was used in antiquity. The lamp is slightly damaged with a broken hole on the top of the lamp.

Length: 4.2″ / 10 cm.
Width: 3″ / 8 cm.

Antiquities from the land of the Bible are great investments and teaching tools. They bring the Bible to life in a tangible way, connecting the stories of the Bible with real artifacts that illuminate the text.

Comes with a certificate of authenticity and all required documents for export approval.

Shipped direct from Jerusalem.

Zak’s Antiquities is the website of Zak’s fine art and antiquities located on the Christian Quarter road in Jerusalem’s Old City. The shop began in 1964 and has remained as a family owned and operated business till this day. For the past 50 years Zak’s Antiquities has sold ancient coins, antiquities and art authentic to Israel and Jerusalem. 

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