The ancient oil lamp, often referred to as the ‘antiquities’ lightbulb’, offers a unique glimpse into daily life in the ancient world. These lamps not only document sociological events but also the development of various religions. They aid in dating archaeological excavations and provide a detailed insight into private life. From the earliest times, societies have created simple means of sharing and distributing light, such as the shallow earthenware dish with a basic wick. Artistic heights were reached during the Roman Imperial Period when oil lamps were decorated with scenes from mythology, religion, everyday objects, and sociological events.
The First Oil Lamps
The first oil lamps appeared in the Near East during the Third Millennium. A simple invention comprised of a square, shallow bowl and pinched at each corner. They provided space for four wicks. These early lamps were handmade, as opposed to wheel-made. The invention of the fast-wheel in the late Third Millennium signalled a change to the style of lamp produced. A saucer shape was now used with a single pinched wick-point.
This style prevailed and would continue to be used for 2000 years. There were slight variations to this simple design, for example, the addition of another spout and the alteration of the bowl shape. The next major change in style occurred with the progression to a closed vessel.
Greek Oil Lamps
The closed lamp form was developed by Greek craftsmen in the 6th century BC, as the rim encroaches over, until a single small orifice is the only opening. Lamps prior to the Hellenistic period remained functional, with little decoration and wheel-made. The turning point occurs in the 2nd century BC. The black-slip used previously is replaced by grey-metallic glazes and decorative ornamentation is seen. Greek lamps develop from the rounded, utilitarian Attic black-glazed ware to a longer nozzle, mould-made greyware, the shoulders decorated with a range of motifs. The development of the Hellenistic lamps gracefully show a progression to the Roman Imperial lamps that abound.
Roman Imperial Lamps
The earliest Roman lamps date to the 3rd century BC and are simple in their form and nature. They show a close affinity to the Greek oil lamps, a clear development evident. With the invention of mould-made lamps, the increase in ornamentation, so that this became the focal point, occurs in the 2nd – 1st centuries BC. This transition leads to the Imperial Roman lamps we are used to seeing. The first Imperial lamps are characterised by a circular body, the discus a prominent feature and the nozzle angular. Volutes decorate the sides and they appear handleless. There is a clear progression from the Hellenistic oil lamps to the Italian type. Whilst this type of voluted lamp was first made in Italy, its use soon spread across the Roman nature, with workshops found in the Eastern Mediterranean and Africa. The general features of the lamp vary little over time. The main change in style is the addition of a handle from the late 1st century AD. From the end of the 1st century, right up until the 4th century there is a marked change in the style of lamp favoured. Known as Loeschcke type VIII, they feature a circular body and a short, rounded nozzle. The rounded nozzle later developed into a heart-shaped nozzle. This form existed with and without handles. The large circular body allowed potters to decorate their lamps extensively, with detailed narratives taking form in terracotta. Discuses became works of art and a number of themes were popular, from heroes of mythology, to scenes from daily life and vocations to the gods.
The Byzantine Empire
The progression from Roman Imperial oil lamps to the terra sigillata of Byzantine oil lamps is markedly different and is caused largely by three factors. The shape of the discus changes, becoming oval in comparison to the previous rounded shape. The nozzle is elongated, abandoning its short heart-shaped variety and the channel becomes wider. The discus and shoulders are still a feature and were widely decorated. Originally manufactured in North Africa, their popularity spread and they were both exported and imitated across the Empire. With the spread of Christianity and its ratification as the official religion of the Roman Empire, Christian themes were the focus of decoration. Figures of saints, narratives from the Old and New Testament and Christograms all feature.
By Anastasia,
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