FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board

Antiquities Discussion Forums => Oil Lamps => Topic started by: PBA on March 09, 2022, 08:30:14 am

Title: Egyptian Oil Lamps - Roman Period
Post by: PBA on March 09, 2022, 08:30:14 am

Hello,

today I am allowed to present three ancient Egyptian oil lamps. Roman Period.

The first is absolutely similar to an objekt at the British Museum (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/X__2159) including the alpha marking on the base. It is dated to the (late) 2ndC BC - (late) 2ndC AD.  (Pic 1 and 2)
The second one is a very heavy example. I think it's from 1st C - 4th C AD. I also assess the third lamp in the same way.
What do you think, is someone else's opinion, I'm happy to be taught  ;D.


Thanks for any opinions

Title: Re: Egyptian Oil Lamps - Roman Period
Post by: Strobilus2 on March 10, 2022, 07:05:44 pm

Lamp 1:
Egypt, Ptolemaic/Roman, 1st century BC - 2nd century AD. The Greek alpha mark on the base is extremely common on Egyptian lamps though its meaning is unclear.

Lamp 2:
Egypt, Byzantine/Islamic, 6th - 7th century AD. Cf. Hayes, 485.

Lamp 3:
Egypt, Roman, 2nd - 3rd century AD. Debased volutes to nozzle. Cf. Chrzanovski 2019, 74.

David Knell

Ancient Lamps - RomQ Reference Collection
https://www.romulus2.com/lamps/ (https://www.romulus2.com/lamps/)

Title: Re: Egyptian Oil Lamps - Roman Period
Post by: Joe Sermarini on March 10, 2022, 08:36:29 pm

Nice lamps.

Thanks David for sharing you expertise.

Title: Re: Egyptian Oil Lamps - Roman Period
Post by: PBA on March 11, 2022, 09:12:22 am

Thank you very much for your assessment  :)