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Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp with Orthodox Cross

Cast bronze lamp · Byzantine Constantinople · 5th–7th century CE

US $3,900.00 · or best offer

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Byzantine cast bronze oil lamp with pear-shaped body, hinged lid, and handle terminating in an Orthodox cross.
The bronze lamp in profile, its tendril handle rising to the Orthodox cross.

Description

A Byzantine cast bronze oil lamp of the 5th to 7th century CE, with a pear-shaped body, flaring nozzle, and hinged lid. The handle rises as two tendril-like branches that curl upward to meet at an Orthodox cross, the emblem of Christian faith in the Eastern Roman Empire. A lamp of comparable form is held by the British Museum (object H_1894-0805-8).

Lamps of this type were used in religious and domestic settings alike, and carried ritual and symbolic weight beyond their function of giving light. The base is fitted with a square socket designed to receive a pricket stand, a practical feature of early Christian Byzantine lamps.

The lamp measures approximately 19 cm (7½ in) in length and weighs about 743 g (1.6 lbs). Acquired from a private collection.

Photographs

Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp with Orthodox Cross, photograph 2 Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp with Orthodox Cross, photograph 3 Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp with Orthodox Cross, photograph 4 Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp with Orthodox Cross, photograph 5 Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp with Orthodox Cross, photograph 6 Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp with Orthodox Cross, photograph 7 Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp with Orthodox Cross, photograph 8 Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp with Orthodox Cross, photograph 9 Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp with Orthodox Cross, photograph 10 Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp with Orthodox Cross, photograph 11 Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp with Orthodox Cross, photograph 12

Details

OriginByzantine Constantinople
Datecirca 5th–7th century CE
MaterialCast bronze
FormPear-shaped body, flaring nozzle, hinged lid, tendril handle with Orthodox cross
Lengthapprox. 19 cm (7½ in)
Weightapprox. 743 g (1.6 lbs)
ComparableBritish Museum, object H_1894-0805-8
ProvenancePrivate collection
ReferenceeBay item 277847309271

Condition

The lamp carries a rich patina with malachite encrustations, uniform in formation, with some rubbed areas revealing the brownish-bronze tone beneath. The handle shows an old break, likely from an ancient fall, with resulting deformation; the Orthodox cross remains intact.

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