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

Beige pottery oil lamp, with a round reservoir. The reservoir has a central hole in the top with a concentric ring modelled around it, and an incised corn or palm motif around that. The spout projects a short way from the body, and is decorated with incised lines, the outer two of which curve outwards. There is blackening on part of the tip. There is a maker’s mark on the base, which looks like two papyrus stems forming a v shape, with a short line drawn above and between them and two further lines below and to the right and left of them, triangular shape over all. Naukratis is written in modern black ink on the base, though faint now.

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

Object details

  • Reference: BOLMG:1886.31.10
  • Material: pottery
  • Period: Roman Period
  • Excavator: E.A. Gardner W.M.F. Petrie
  • Dated: 30 BC - AD 395
  • Object name: oil lamp
  • Dimensions: Length: 83mm , Width: 75mm , Depth: 33mm
  • Published references: Petrie, W.M.F., Naukratis, 1, 1886
  • Site: Naukratis
  • Latitude: 30.901111
  • Longitude: 30.5925