Fragment of a Lamp
This lamp contains an open reservoir that would have held burning oil and a wick. Soaked in the oil and lighted, the wick would transport the fuel to the flame.
Ceramic lamps in this shape were most common in Iran in the early Islamic periods They are either unglazed or, from the ninth/tenth century onwards, glazed in green. By the twelfth century, the lamps’ shape had changed to include a closed reservoir that was often placed on a stem.
Undocumented provenance records for this object state that it was found in a potter’s kiln.
Ceramic lamps in this shape were most common in Iran in the early Islamic periods They are either unglazed or, from the ninth/tenth century onwards, glazed in green. By the twelfth century, the lamps’ shape had changed to include a closed reservoir that was often placed on a stem.
Undocumented provenance records for this object state that it was found in a potter’s kiln.
Artwork Details
- Title: Fragment of a Lamp
- Date: 9th century
- Geography: Found Iraq, Basra
- Medium: Earthenware; glazed
- Dimensions: H. 1 7/8 in. (4.7 cm)
W. 2 7/16 in. (6.2 cm)
D. 1/4 in. (0.7 cm) - Classification: Ceramics
- Credit Line: Gift of Noel E. Baker, 1952
- Object Number: 52.130.9
- Curatorial Department: Islamic Art
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9th century
9th century
second half 10th century
second–third quarter 10th century
9th century
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