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This ancient lamp might have burned in
the Holy Land at the height of the
Israelite monarchy. Judging by its low,
flat base, this lamp probably derives
from the Northern Kingdom of Israel
during the pre-Exilic Period. Its
simple, pinch pot construction is a
tribute to the antiquity of the design,
likely having Canaanite origins. Made
of terra cotta, this simple item would
have held olive oil and probably a wick
of plant fibers or textile, allowing it
to provide light for a few hours
perhaps. This lamp of open-bowl design
would later give way to more elaborate,
enclosed lamps of the Hellenistic and
Roman periods.
A metaphor for joy and prosperity, for
hope, for life itself, lamps have
illuminated the path of civilization for
centuries. They have shed light on
mundane and extraordinary events alike,
guiding great thoughts through the
night, and standing vigil with lonely
passions. In the presence of this simple
object, we are in touch directly with a
vanished world, with the rooms and
shrines once warmed by its glow, with
the people who drew comfort from its
light. Today it remains as an enduring
symbol of man's desire to conquer the
darkness.
- (SP.406)
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