Stone Oil Lamp
Unknown Artist
9th–10th century
Medium
Steatite; carved
Dimensions
H. 2 in. (5.1 cm) W. 3 in. (7.6 cm)
Classification
Stone
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1937
Accession Number
37.40.48
Art Historical Context
This delicate stone oil lamp, carved from steatite in the 9th–10th century offers a glimpse into everyday life in the Islamic world during the Abbasid era. Measuring just 2 inches high and inches wide, its compact form made it ideal for illuminating homes, mosques, or travelers' camps, where a simple wick dipped in oil provided soft, flickering light. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 7, it now resides in the Metropolitan of Art's Islamic Art, exemplifying the blend of utility and artistry in medieval Islamic craftsmanship. Steatite, or soapstone, was a favored medium for such objects due ...