Lampe à huile

Mesopotamia or Near East, 8th-10th century A moulded glass with green shades, limestone concretions, engraved in Arabic in kufic characters. A brass suspension chain decorated with engraved wooden beads accompanies the container. (Cracks). D. 21 cm An early glass hanging oil lamp, 7th-9th century In many Islamic societies, lamps from the pre-Islamic period continued to be used in secular and religious contexts. Over time, however, changing needs and tastes inspired craftsmen to remodel these ancient forms or to invent new ones. Although clay or metal remained popular materials for these vessels, glass was highly valued for its translucency and ability to transmit light. This lamp was probably made in the Syrian region because of its aquamarine glass color. In the hanging position, chains were attached to a metal circle placed around the umbilicus. Like others of its kind, this lamp has no wick holder; the wick could have floated on a layer of oil and water. Our example can be compared to two lamps dating to the 8th-10th century, both of which are conical in shape and may have been placed in a metal ring for use as a hanging lamp. The one in the Eretz Israel Museum is dated to the 8th-10th century and is believed to have come from Syria or Palestine (Collection of the glass pavillion, Tel Aviv, MHG1042.63). The one in the Victoria and Albert Museum is attributed to 9th-10th century Egypt, (Inv. No. C157-1936). Private collection, Paris S. Carboni and D. Warehouse, "Glass of the Sultans", Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2001, p.17, fig. 2 and p.127, n°44.