ITEM: Oil lamp, Type Rosenthal & Sivan K and Hadad 36
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Islamic, Umayyads
PERIOD: 7th - 8th Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 45 mm x 70 mm x 91 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex German private collection, Dr. C.H.H., acquired before 1960

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

The Islamic Umayyad dynasty, which ruled from 661 to 750 CE, oversaw a period of remarkable artistic and cultural development in the Islamic world. Umayyad oil lamps are significant artifacts that provide insights into the material culture and artistic achievements of this era. These lamps were typically made of ceramic or glass and served as important sources of illumination in domestic, religious, and public spaces throughout the Umayyad Empire, which stretched from Spain to Central Asia.

Umayyad oil lamps are known for their distinctive decorative motifs and intricate designs. Many lamps featured geometric patterns, floral motifs, and calligraphic inscriptions, reflecting the artistic influences of the diverse regions within the Umayyad Empire. These lamps often incorporated elements of Byzantine, Sassanian, and Roman artistic traditions, demonstrating the multicultural exchange and artistic synthesis that characterized Umayyad art and architecture.

Beyond their practical function, Umayyad oil lamps also held symbolic and religious significance. The inclusion of Quranic verses or religious invocations on lamp designs served to sanctify the act of lighting the lamp and imbue the space with spiritual significance. Additionally, the widespread use of oil lamps in mosques, madrasas, and other Islamic religious institutions underscored their role in facilitating communal worship and religious observance. Umayyad oil lamps thus stand as testament to the rich artistic heritage and religious devotion of the Islamic world during the Umayyad period.