This turned pottery features a longer wick funnel to separate the burning wick from the reservoir opening presumably so that the lamp could be refilled easily while still providing light.
The raised rim on the “discus” of the lamp (top) is the beginning of early styling as the lamps developed a smaller filling hole for practical reasons.
This type of lamp was made on the potter’s wheel and featured high sides. The lamp’s unadorned style shows that it was from an early time period but later than the “saucer type”.
The rest of the oil lamp pictures will be much better than this one. These were unique lamps and the earliest from the region. The clay lamp technology and culture came from Phoenicia from where settlers from Tyre and probably other cities crossed the Mediterranean in in their vessels and established a colony in present day Tunisia.
The information I am posting comes from a combination of personal knowledge and the museum’s placards next to the display case. I took pictures of the placards to retrieve the information.
This “saucer type” of lamp consisted of pottery with indentations for the wick. This one would support 4 wicks and so gave more light. It would however use up the oil proportionately as to the amount of lit wicks. The user with this lamp had options as to how much light he wanted to generate.
“Who is This?” In Matthew.21.1 we have the account of the “Triumphal Entry” of Jesus from the Mount of Olives at Bethphage to the entrance of Jerusalem. This fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9.9 which depicted the Messianic King humbly riding on a donkey and the colt of a donkey. Frequent readers of the Bible will be familiar with the scene of the people spreading … Continue reading “Who is This?…
Psalm 119.105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Metaphorically, the Psalmist tells his readers that God’s word enables wise choices for every decision in his life. He uses the revealed truth to keep from stumbling into sin and its consequences. He wants to continue to enjoy God’s blessing uninterrupted. Ancient Hebrews used clay oil lamps into which olive … Continue reading Preview of August Photoblog Posts
beliefspeak2 