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Biblical Antiquities :
Talmudic Oil Lamps : Talmudic Oil Lamp
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Talmudic Oil Lamp - L.0110
Origin: Israel
Circa: 400
AD
to 600
AD
Catalogue: V1
Collection: Biblical
Medium: Terracotta
$1,480.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
A token of a faith already old when this
lamp was
created, such an object might have lit
Jewish
homes or temples over a thousand years
ago. A
metaphor for joy and prosperity, for
hope, for
life itself, lamps have illuminated the
path of
civilization for centuries. They have
guided great
thoughts through the night, stood vigil
with
lonely passions. This lamp is decorated
with a
series of grape vines encircling the
central
opening and a palmette leaf on the
handle. Both
these images are fraught with symbolism.
The
palm tree is a symbol of the ancient
land of
Judea, used in the Judea Capta of coins.
They
represent height and abundance, for the
sight of
these trees when traversing the desert
would
imply that an oasis is nearby.
Similarly, vines
and grapes (gefen) symbolize the
abundance of
the land of Israel. Grapes have been
cultivated
since the dawn of mankind; the first
vineyard
mentioned in the Bible was planted by
Noah after
the flood subsided. Throughout
generations,
they have provided their fruit and wine,
frequently used in many rituals and
ceremonies.
In the presence of this simple object,
we are in
touch directly with a vanished world,
with the
people once warmed by its glow. Today it
remains as an enduring symbol of man's
desire
to conquer the darkness while its
decoration
speak of the bounty of God’s gift to the
Jewish
people: the land of Israel.
- (L.0110)
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