Greek oil lamp, Type Howland 25 A

ITEM: Oil lamp, Type Howland 25 A
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Greek
PERIOD: 4th Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 40 mm x 61 mm x 96 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex French private collection, acquired between 1970 - 1990

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.

Greek oil lamps were a primary source of artificial light in the ancient Greek world, used from the Archaic period (7th century BCE) through the Hellenistic period (4th–1st century BCE). Made primarily from terracotta, these small, portable lamps were designed to burn olive oil, which was abundant in Greece. Their basic structure included a reservoir for oil, a wick hole, and a nozzle where the flame would be maintained. Early Greek oil lamps were simple, shallow bowls with a pinched spout to hold the wick, but by the Classical period (5th–4th century BCE), they became more refined in shape, often featuring a closed body with a filling hole to prevent spills.

By the Hellenistic period, Greek oil lamps had evolved into more elaborate forms, often decorated with relief designs, inscriptions, and multiple nozzles for increased brightness. Many lamps were mold-made, allowing for mass production and greater consistency in design. Common decorative themes included mythological scenes, gods and goddesses, animals, and geometric patterns, reflecting the artistic influences of the time. Some lamps bore inscriptions, possibly identifying the potter, workshop, or owner, indicating that they were both functional and personal objects. In wealthier households, bronze lamps were also used, sometimes designed with intricate stands or suspension chains.

Greek oil lamps played a vital role in daily life, religious rituals, and funerary practices. They were used in homes, temples, public spaces, and tombs, often placed as offerings to deities or the deceased. In sanctuaries, they illuminated altars and cult statues, while in tombs, they symbolized eternal light for the afterlife. Their widespread presence across the Greek world, from Athens to colonies in Italy and Asia Minor, demonstrates their cultural significance.