Hi, all. Here is an intricately decorated Samaritan
oil lamp from
Caesarea Maritima. I am curious about some of the features and meaning of the symbolism on the
lamp. The decoration is fairly symmetrical laterally, except for one panel, which on the left is a sort of "herring-bone" pattern, and on the right a
column of three diamonds with central points. Also, could the small seven branched menorah on each
side be standing on something like a mountain top? Any ideas on the significance of the motifs, or corrections to the description would be most appreciated. I have been looking at the
Adler Collection online as well as the excellent website by
Strobilus2,
http://www.romulus2.com/lamps/. Thanks, again, V-drome.
BCC CG16
Samaritan
Oil LampEarly
Byzantine Period 6-7th Century CE
Late Samaritan
terracotta oil lamp,
Adler type S.6, with
a long pear-shaped body, large round filler hole, and
trenched nozzle. The
handle is missing. The shoulders
are richly decorated with menorahs, branches, and various
linear and geometric designs. There is a thick buildup of
carbon in the nozzle. The
lamp sits horizontally level and
is stable at rest, however, the bottom is rounded and quite
uneven. This has resulted in an observable lean to the right
and a corresponding lengthening of the soot marking on the left.
Dimensions: 8.20 x 5.32 x 3.15cm.
Weight: 71.18gm.
Surface find from an agricultural trench near
Caesarea Maritima, 1973
(click for larger pics)