Ancient Egyptian oil lamp from Hierakleopolis dated 30 BC – AD 395

Red and buff pottery oil lamp. With round reservoir with a central hole. Projecting spout with larger hole in tip, blackened around this. Projecting handle at opposite end is solid and leaf shaped and raises above the lamp. It is decorated on the surface with six curved lines, three opposite three, to form an oval design. A central raised lump connects the base of these to the reservoir. Around the central reservoir hole is a circular sunken area with incised concentric circles around its side. There are two curved raised areas along each side of the neck of the spout. Part of the side of the reservoir is missing. There is a ring base, in the centre of which is a maker’s mark similar in design to an m with a p written through its line.

Ancient Egyptian oil lamp from Hierakleopolis dated 30 BC – AD 395

Object details

  • Reference: BOLMG:1904.48.65
  • Material: pottery
  • Period: Roman Period
  • Excavator: W.M.F. Petrie
  • Dated: 30 BC - AD 395
  • Object name: oil lamp
  • Dimensions: Length: 150mm , Width: 70mm , Depth: 54mm
  • Published references: Petrie W M F Ehnasya 1904 1905 p 26 - 27
  • Site: Heracleopolis
  • Latitude: 29.085556
  • Longitude: 30.934444