Lamp

Unknown

13th–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. Similar ceramic lamps were common in Egypt and in Syria in the thirteenth to fourteenth century, together with other examples in which the reservoir is placed on a stem. The undocumented provenance record on this piece states it comes from Syria.

Artist

Unknown

Date

13th–14th century

Medium

Earthenware; glazed

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

The Grinnell Collection, Bequest of William Milne Grinnell, 1920