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

Pottery oil lamp. With rounded reservoir and projecting neck. Neck flares at tip, and has a semicircular end. Circular opening in the tip of the neck, and in the top centre of the reservoir. Reservoir top decorated with incised lines which radiate from the centre. At joint with neck there is a fleur de lis style group, with scrolled top. Potter’s mark on base of three parallel lines, joined by a bar at one end. The central line passes through the bar to form a loop. Outer lines flare slightly towards the edge. Small crack from hole in reservoir. White efflorescence on upper surface. Modern ink mark on base possibly a 2 or a 9, with a dot underneath.

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

Object details

  • Reference: BOLMG:1904.48.44
  • Material: pottery
  • Period: Roman Period
  • Excavator: W.M.F. Petrie
  • Dated: 30 BC - AD 395
  • Object name: oil lamp
  • Dimensions: Length: 102mm , Width: 67mm , Depth: 36mm
  • Published references: Petrie W M F Ehnasya 1904 1905 p 26 - 27
  • Site: Heracleopolis
  • Latitude: 29.085556
  • Longitude: 30.934444