Roman, Imperial Period, Holyland (Herodian), ca. 37 BCE to 70 CE. A very rare and beautifully-preserved form of mold-made terracotta oil lamp, with eight wicks projecting from its large discus and a loop handle rising vertically from the center, flanked by two small filling holes. Around the shallow discus is a raised motif of dots and rings. On the underside is the remains of a maker's mark that can no longer be read. Lamps of this style are usually found in Judea and Jerusalem. Size: 4.9" W x 2" H (12.4 cm x 5.1 cm)

For a similar oil lamp found in the Herodian Palace in Jericho (displayed in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem), see Biblical Archaeology Review, November/December 1996, p. 41.

A similar Herodian terracotta oil lamp, only in poorer condition missing three nozzles, and with a slightly different decorative motif but a similar form and style, recently sold at auction for $18,000 - Archaeological Center in Tel Aviv managed by Robert Deutsch, Ancient Coins and Antiquities, October 10, 2107, Auction 63, Lot 161.

Provenance: private Houston, Texas, USA collection; ex-Gerhard Hirsch Nachfolger Auction 277-278, Munich, Germany, lot 774

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#132961

Intact! With signs of use at each nozzle. There is a maker's mark on the underside but it is too worn to read.