Lamp

Unknown

5th–6th century · Earthenware; molded · Islamic Art

Small earthenware lamps made from double molds were the most commonly used source of light in daily Coptic life. A wick produced from plant fiber or linen fabric was placed in a reservoir filled with oil, generally castor or sesame oil, and illuminated. The disc of this lamp is decorated with a chi-rho monogram, consisting of the superimposed capital Greek letters chi (X) and rho (P), the first two letters of Christ in Greek. The pearled monogram is reversed and surrounded by an alternating border of chevrons and quatrefoils.Christian symbols such as this monogram were thought to offer protection for the lamp’s owner.

Artist

Unknown

Date

5th–6th century

Medium

Earthenware; molded

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917