Early Islamic lamps were a continuation of
Byzantine lamps. Initially they were decorated
with stylised bird, animal or foliate motifs but
over time geometric and linear designs were
favoured.
This is an outstanding example of its type. The
body is cylindrical and terminates in a pierced
cone-shaped finial. The glaze is a vibrant
turquoise/green. It has a single long spout which
has been pinched. The whole lamp is supported
by a small
round base. A large leaf
shaped thumb-piece is attached to the handle.
Regarding oil lamps, the Quran states that: "God
is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The
parable of His light is, as it were, that of a niche
containing a lamp; the lamp is [enclosed] in
glass, the glass [shining] like a radiant star: [a
lamp] lit from a blessed tree - an olive-tree that
is neither of the east nor of the west the oil
whereof [is so bright that it] would well-nigh
give light [of itself] even though fire had not
touched it: light upon light! God guides unto His
light him that wills [to be guided]; and [to this
end] God propounds parables unto men, since
God [alone] has full knowledge of all things".
24:35
