A EARLY ISLAMIC GREEN GLAZED POTTERY OIL LAMP
A EARLY ISLAMIC GREEN GLAZED POTTERY OIL LAMP

MESOPOTAMIA, 8TH/9TH CENTURY

Details
A EARLY ISLAMIC GREEN GLAZED POTTERY OIL LAMP
MESOPOTAMIA, 8TH/9TH CENTURY
The rounded body with concave cover extruding on one side to a long trough spout, remains of a handle at one side, the top moulded under the green glaze with a central feathered band, the moulded word "baraka" at each side, in a moulded feathered border, the underside unglazed and with a moulded feathered horseshoe-shaped depression, handle missing, repaired breaks
5in. (12.6cm.) long

Lot Essay

Both the style and the decrative technique of this small oil lamp point to an early date in the Islamic period. The shape with the sunken cover of the upper part and the two small holes for the wick and for filling is exactly the same as was used in the Roman period (Syrie, mmoire et civilisation, exhibition catalogue, Paris, 1993, no.255, p.310). The glaze covering crisp linear decoration is also typical of the early period as in the lug in lot 286 in this sale. Furthermore the writing of the word baraka is a very simple form of kufic which would also be consistent with an early dating.

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