Earthenware Lantern

Found at the site of Sabz Pushan, a thriving residential neighborhood during the 9th and 12th centuries, this lantern is made from reddish earthenware that is covered with a green slip. Its slightly grooved cylindrical body is tapered slightly toward its flat base. It has a sloped shoulder and a conical top that is surmounted by a horizontally ridged shank and a ring handle which is grooved along its rim. The base of the handle is pierced with two ventilating holes. Three groups of three elongated oval-shaped perforations pierce the upper side walls of each side of the lantern which would produce a series of pleasing reflections when an oil-based light source in the lantern was lit. This object is one of many objects excavated at Nishapur, Iran in 1937 and was acquired by the Museum through a division of finds with the Iranian government.