Oil Lamps

Acting as a source of light, oil lamps are a device that are used to produce light continuously and are fuelled by animal, vegetable or mineral oil. Oil lamps have been in existence since ancient times. They were used for various purposes like funerary, votive purposes and much more. However, the main purpose of oil lamps has always been lighting. The age and the origin of oil lamps can be determined by studying the designs, symbols, structure and decorations of the lamps. In addition lamps also give insights about the culture and the social status of its users.

Oil lamps are made from a variety of materials like gold, bronze, silver, stone, terra-cotta and fired clay. Fired clay has been one of the most common materials used for making such lamps. However, bronze and terra-cotta lamps have also come to the fore. A terra-cotta oil lamp is usually 7-10 cm in length and 3 cm in depth, with the walls being around 0.5 cm thick. A typical terra-cotta oil lamp comprises shoulder, pouring hole, wick hole and nozzle, discus, volute and fuel chamber. The wick is usually made from different materials like linen, flax, papyrus, tow or ordinary rush. It is placed over the nozzle and extends up to the fuel chamber. The flame of the lamp is preserved by oil lamp shades, glass screen or oil lamp chimneys.

Oil lamps may be locally produced or may be manufactured in factories and exported to different areas. Antique oil lamps are easily available in antique shops and also at online stores.