AFTER STUDYING SEVERAL HISTORICAL RESOURCES, I DECIDED TO MAKE
MY OWN MODERN INTERPRETATIONS OF ANCIENT CERAMIC OIL LAMPS.

As you can see below, the actual, original lamps ranged from simple saucer shapes to more complex, closed,
and decorated designs. These examples are (1500 BCE to 100 CE) lamps found in excavations of Roman,
Greek, Arabian, and Persian sites.

Basically, they all consist of a shallow reservoir for the fuel (Olive Oil), and a notch or hole to hold the wick
(twisted cotton or hemp fabric). Early lamps were handbuilt using local clay, predating the potter's wheel (lower right),
while later models were mass-produced in plaster or clay molds. These small lamps (3-6 inches long) were personal
items, carried by hand, while other multi-wick models were made for home use on a table or stand. The lamps were
pit-fired at low temperatures, and not glazed, so that eventually oil was absorbed into and through the clay.

REPRODUCTIONS

My reproductions/interpretations are all unique and different. They are hand made of earthenware clay, using
the same simple tools and techniques as the originals. However, they are high-fired (for strength and durability),
and clear-glazed (only on the inside) to prevent oil absorption and loss. The wicks are made from pure cotton.
Since each lamp is unique and different, the lamps for sale at any given time will depend on inventories.

Below are some examples of my Ceramic Oil Lamps (coming soon).