Oil Lamp Collection (#8)

Terracotta oil lamp with relief depicting the Port of Alexandria with the tomb of Alexander
Roman civilization, 1st century A.D. Terracotta oil lamp with relief depicting the Port of Alexandria with the tomb of Alexander and the Mausoleum of Augustus overlooking the sea. Detail

Italy, Calabria, Terracotta oil lamp from the sacred place near the Cofino hill Italy, Vibo Valentia, Museo Archeologico Statale Vito Capialbi (Archaeological Museum), Greek civilization

Roman civilization, fictile oil lamp
Roman civilization. Fictile oil lamp

Italy, Garda Lake, Fictile votive lamp with two wicks from the excavation site of Riva del Garda 2nd Century A.D. Museo Civico (Art Museum), Roman art

Sudan, Nepata, Detail of oil lamp from the necropolis of Meroe and Nepata, bronze
Egypt - Nubia - Bronze oil lamp

Italy, Lombardy, Lamp made from dark terracotta, from Golasecca Culture
Prehistory, Italy, Age of Iron. Culture of Golasecca, lamp with supporting feet made from dark terracotta

Decorated clay oil lamp, from Pompei
Roman civilization, 1st century A.D. Decorated clay oil lamp, painted with brown-reddish colors. From Pompei

Italy Florence, Still life with crockery, Glassware and fruit
Cristoforo Munari (1667-1720), Still Life with Crockery, Glassware and Fruit

Italy, Garda Lake, Fictile votive lamp decorated with Hercules (Heracles) head from the excavation site of Riva del Garda 1st Century A.D. Museo Civico (Art Museum), Roman art

oman era terracotta oil lamps
Three Roman era terracotta oil lamps 1st century CE (private collection)

North African terracotta oil lamps 4-5 century CE

Terracotta oil lamps 1-2nd century CE

19th Century oil lamp. Made in 1890

Roman period bronze oil lamp 4-5th century CE

Roman terracotta oil lamps C016 / 4538
Two Roman terracotta oil lamps. Oil was poured into the hole in the centre of the lamp. Wicks were placed in the nozzle or nozzles (two-nozzle example at right) and lit

Terracotta torch lamp C016 / 2796
Roman Terracotta torch lamps 1st-2nd century CE

Wells pneumatic oil lamps, 1889 C013 / 8764
Wells pneumatic oil lamps. 19th-century artwork showing three models of Wells lamps, a type of pneumatic oil lamp developed in the 1880s

Niaux cave paintings C013 / 7409
Niaux cave paintings. Oil lamp being held up to illuminate cave paintings that are about 13, 000 years old. The original painters are also thought to have used oil-based lamps

Old oil lamp with reflector C013 / 5293
An old oil lamp (now converted to electricity) with a partly-parabolic reflector to reflect the light and heat away from the wall on which it is mounted. Photographed in Tucson, Arizona

(1820-1910). English nurse. Lady with the Lamp (Miss Nightingale at Scutari, 1854)
FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE (1820-1910). English nurse. Lady with the Lamp (Miss Nightingale at Scutari, 1854), checking on wounded soldiers during the Crimean War, 1854-1856

SLIDE PROJECTOR AD, 1878. American newspaper advertisement, 1878, for Sciopticon slide projectors, manufactured by Lorenzo J. Marcy of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

FLUID LAMP EXPLOSION, 1868. Scene at Norwich, Connecticut, home after an attempt to fill a lighted fluid lamp, which resulted in an explosion. Wood engraving, American, 1868

SHAKESPEARE: JULIUS CAESAR. The ghost of Caesar appears before Brutus (Act IV, Scene III). Wood engraving after Sir John Gilbert for an 1881 edition of William Shakespeares Julius Caesar

ROME: CHRISTIAN WIDOW and her child honor her martyred husband in the catacombs of Rome: colored line engraving, 19th century

EARLY CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE. A nocturnal marriage procession in the Holy Land at the beginning of the Christian Era. Wood engraving, 19th century

INDIA: WEDDING, 1780s. Gaurian priests celebrating the nuptial ceremonies of their principal people. Copper engraving, English, late 18th century

PARABLE OF VIRGINS. Give us your oil, for our lamps are gone out. The parable of five wise and five foolish virgins (Matthew 25: 1-13)

ARABIAN NIGHTS, 1903. The Fisherman and the Afrite. Wood engraving from an American edition of 1903

ROME: VESTAL VIRGIN. The Veiled Vestal. Stipple engraving by R. A. Artlett after a statue by R
ROME: VESTAL VIRGIN. The Veiled Vestal. Stipple engraving by R.A. Artlett after a statue by R. Monti, English, 19th century

Butter lamps, Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

19th Century Argand lamp, artwork
19th Century Argand lamp. Historical artwork showing an oil lamp designed by the Swiss physicist and chemist Francois Pierre Ami Argand (1750-1803)

19th Century safety lamps, artwork
19th Century safety lamps. Historical artwork showing a collection of safety lamps designed by the British Chemist Sir Humphry Davy (1778-1829) for use by miners

SHAKESPEARE: JULIUS CAESAR. The ghost of Caesar appears before Brutus (Act IV, Scene III). Photogravure for an American edition of William Shakespeares Julius Caesar, 1891

EVCW2D-00088
Kerosene lamp at a Confederate camp reenactment, Shiloh National Military Park, Tennessee. Digital photograph of a living history demonstration at Shiloh battlefield

Monks light butter lamps on an auspicious night, Boudha stupa, Bodhnath, Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Candles, Lhosar (Tibetan and Sherpa New Year festival), Bodhnath, Bagmati, Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

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"From Ancient Times to Modern Markets: The Timeless Glow of the Oil Lamp" Step into the enchanting world of oil lamps, where history and culture intertwine with a warm and gentle glow. Dating back centuries, these humble yet captivating sources of light have played significant roles in various aspects of life around the globe. In William John Wainwright's masterpiece "Parable Of The Wise And Foolish Virgins, " an oil lamp takes center stage as a symbol of preparedness and wisdom. This timeless tale reminds us that even in our modern lives, being ready for what lies ahead is essential. Traveling to Marrakech's bustling Medina market, one can witness the vibrant display of oil lamps on sale. These intricate pieces not only illuminate homes but also serve as exquisite decorative items, reflecting Morocco's rich artistic heritage. The ancient Roman oil lamp adorned with a Circus Maximus scene transports us back to an era when such lamps were used to brighten grand spectacles. It speaks volumes about how light has always been intertwined with entertainment throughout history. During wartime in 1943, inside Kirdford Pub Interior, patrons sought solace amidst chaos by relying on the comforting glow emanating from trusty oil lamps. In times of darkness and uncertainty, they provided much-needed warmth and camaraderie. Joseph Edward Southall's painting "New Lamps for Old" captures the spirit of progress as society transitioned from traditional oil lamps to newer lighting technologies at the turn of the 20th century. Yet it serves as a reminder that some things are irreplaceable - like the nostalgic charm exuded by flickering flames within glass chimneys. In "The Wise Virgins Resting Whilst Awaiting The Arrival Of The Husband, " we witness women patiently waiting under soft lamplight for their beloveds' return. This poignant image reflects both anticipation and hope – emotions universally associated with illuminated pathways leading towards love and reunion. Beyond symbolism, oil lamps also hold spiritual significance.