Lamp

Unknown

14th century · Earthenware; glazed · Islamic Art

This heavily potted lamp contains an open reservoir that would have held burning oil and a wick. Soaked in the oil and lighted, the wick would transport the fuel to the flame. Traces of burning are still visible all around the lamp’s rim, above the green glaze. Similar ceramic lamps were common in Syria and Egypt in the thirteenth to fifteenth century, alongside other examples with a closed reservoir that was placed on a stem.

Artist

Unknown

Date

14th century

Medium

Earthenware; glazed

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891