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

Red pottery oil lamp, dolphin style, with a now broken lug, off the central reservoir. The reservoir is round with a central hole in the top with a concentric ring modelled around it. The spout projects from the body, and flares out at the tip. Blackened on part of the tip. Has a raised disc shaped base. The top of the reservoir is decorated with incised radiating lines, and what appear to be petal shapes over the base of the spout. Two incised lines decorate the top of the spout. Naukratis is in modern black ink on the base, and patches of modern glue and paper adhere to the base.

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

Object details

  • Reference: BOLMG:1886.31.2
  • Material: pottery
  • Period: Roman Period
  • Excavator: E.A. Gardner W.M.F. Petrie
  • Dated: 30 BC - AD 395
  • Object name: oil lamp
  • Dimensions: Length: 88mm , Width: 62mm , Depth: 31mm
  • Published references: Petrie W M F Naukratis 1 1886
  • Site: Naukratis
  • Latitude: 30.901111
  • Longitude: 30.5925