Antiquities Discussion Forums > Oil Lamps

Oil lamp authentication

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Alex S2:
Hi. I bought several oil lamps a couple of years ago. I started to have doubts about their authenticity. Could somebody tell me if the oil lamp in the pictures looks like a real deal? Thank you.

James Anderson:
There is an informative article in the December 2011 issue of the Celator magazine called "Avoiding Fake Oil Lamps."
According to the author, indications of authenticity are mineral deposits and root marks from long burial in the
ground. Indications of fakes are the absence of a filling hole (which your lamp does have), a patina that washes off,
embedded hairs or brush bristles, glue and other materials that would have been destroyed during the firing of a
genuine lamp. If your lamp passes all these tests, you will still need to take it to an expert to determine authenticity. Jim A
Add: there are numerous posts about oil lamps on this board which might be helpful. 

Strobilus:
I see no reason to doubt the authenticity of your lamp. There are replicas of this type but they are easily spotted. The style, fabric and patination of your lamp are entirely consistent with genuinely ancient lamps of its type.

Your lamp is the so-called 'Herodian' type. They are very common and were made in the Palestine region of the Levant from around the very late 1st century BC up to the end of the 1st century AD.

There are comparanda references given on a similar lamp here: http://www.romulus2.com/lamps/database/lamp.php?14

Joe Sermarini:
Thanks for replying Strobius.  I appreciate you sharing your expertise here.  (Note the link is to his own excellent website!)

Strobilus:
Thanks for your kind words, Joe. I don't visit very often but enjoy helping out when I can.

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