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Oil Lamp with Greek and Arabic Inscriptions

8th century

Not on view

The decoration on the clay lamps, small objects designed for daily use, in the exhibition helps chart the transformation of Byzantium’s southern provinces into lands central to the Islamic world. Largely produced at the important city of Gerasa (Jerash) in Jordan, the lamps came with a variety of decorations—Christian crosses and inscriptions, Greek and Arabic inscriptions on the same lamp, and ones inscribed only in Arabic.
This lamp is inscribed in Greek on the top right shoulder "The light of Christ [is] the Resurrection" and in Arabic on the bottom "In the name of God, the Merciful, the Com[passionate]."

Oil Lamp with Greek and Arabic Inscriptions, Red ware — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Oil Lamp with Greek and Arabic Inscriptions, Red ware

Oil Lamp with Greek and Arabic Inscriptions, Red ware

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Oil Lamp with Greek and Arabic Inscriptions

Date: 8th century

Geography: Made in Jordan, Gerasa (Jerash)

Medium: Red ware

Dimensions: 1 15/16 x 2 3/8 x 3 11/16 in. (4.9 x 6.1 x 9.4 cm)

Classification: Ceramics

Credit Line: Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, The Yale Excavations at Gerasa (1929.674)

The Met

Medieval Art and The Cloisters at The Met

The Museum's collection of medieval and Byzantine art is among the most comprehensive in the world, encompassing the art of the Mediterranean and Europe from the fall of Rome to the beginning of the Renaissance.