Terracotta saucer-shaped oil lamp
Unknown Artist
5th century BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Dimensions
Length: 5 1/16 in. (12.9 cm) Height: 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm)
Classification
Terracottas
Culture & Period
Cypriot · Cypro-Classical
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
Accession Number
74.51.1989
Art Historical Context
This delicate terracotta saucer-shaped oil lamp hails from 5th-century BCE Cyprus, during the Cypro-Classical period (ca. 475–323 BCE), a time when the island bridged Eastern and Greek influences. Crafted by an unknown artisan, its modest dimensions—5 1/16 inches long and 1 1/2 inches high—belie its role as an essential household item. Filled with olive oil and a wick, such lamps illuminated daily life, from humble homes to sanctuaries, reflecting Cyprus's vibrant pottery tradition. Terracotta, fired clay abundant on the resource-rich island, allowed for simple wheel-throwing or molding techn...