Notify me of follow-up comments by email.
Pompeii A Brief Introduction with Archaeologist, Raven Todd DaSilva
Most oil lamps were made in two-piece molds that were made of gypsum (calcium sulphate) and plaster. When the lamp was removed from the mold, it was dipped in a slip of clay (kind of a thick liquid clay mixture) to further coat the lamp and make it more impermeable to oil.
Today, when we shop for lighting, there are myriad choices for size, quality and the amount of ornamentation upon a lamp.
Oddly enough, this made me think of another Ancient Everyday to share with you!
Just click the PayPal, Buy Now button below
This entry was taggedAncient everydayAncient Romebronzeceramicsclaylightlightingmanufacturingoil lampsRoman Empire. Bookmark thepermalink.
In the northern provinces especially, the Roman
Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked*
When banqueting, one needed a little light!
Ancient Everyday Pets in Ancient Rome
The oil that was usually used in oil lamps was, of course, olive oil. After all, it was widely available in the Mediterranean world.
Inspiration for Writing the Past An Eagles and Dragons Playlist
The Ruin An Anglo-Saxon Poem of the Past
became quite common. It was more plain than the decorative volute lamps, and purely functional. The
The same can be said of oil lamps in the ancient world!
Oil lamps made out of bronze or pottery were in use in the Mediterranean world from about the seventh century B.C., and continued as such for centuries. Most consisted of a chamber for the oil, a filling hole in the middle, and another hole in the nozzle for a linen wick. Some lamps even had a handle for ease of carrying.
My own Romano-Britishfirmalampe Imagine writing on your wax tablet by the light of one of these!
The Romans, and the Greeks before them, used oil lamps.
A Head for War Top 10 Ancient and Medieval Battle Helmets
But in the ancient world, it was quite different. No switches, no electricity running through the walls of every
Ancient Everyday Oil Lamps in Ancient Rome
However, in the olive oil-producing regions of the Empire, oil lamps in countless different styles were still widely used to light the
Ancient Everyday Pets in Ancient Rome
But, if you want to show your appreciation to the author for the hours of work (2-6 per blog), then any amount is greatly appreciated.
Ancient Everyday Telling Time in the Roman World
From the Augustan period onward in Italy, high-quality volute oil lamps were produced. These were wide and flat with room for more ornamentation or scenery depicted in the middle, and curved ornaments to either side of the nozzle(s).
A Roman volute lamp with a gladiator or warrior depicted on the body and the producers name on the bottom
My power went out the other night, and I found myself in darkness for a time but for the cold blue light of my phone.
You can see how the molding process worksHERE.
A lot of work goes into researching and writing the Blogs for this website, and we want to keep it totally free.
Ancient Everyday Pee and Laundry in the Roman World
Ancient Everyday – Coinage in Ancient Rome
At one point in time in the northern part of the Empire, its believed that there was a disruption to the oil supply from the Mediterranean, and so oil lamp production in the northern provinces slowed to a standstill. Instead, candles made of tallow (beef and sheep fat), which the Romans had used to an extent since around 500 B.C., may have begun to replace oil lamps.
Ancient Everyday Coinage in Ancient Rome
, we have light! If we want add to the atmosphere of a dinner party, we light candles for ambiance.
Ancient Everyday – Childbirth in the Ancient World
A more ornate, double-nozzle, bronze oil lamp with stand and acanthus handle. Only the very best for these owners!
The Colosseum: First Impressions and Edgar Allan Poe
Lamps of the second and third centuries B.C. that were used by Romans in Italy were more often than not imported from Athens where there was a significant ceramic industry. However, from the first century B.C. oil lamps used by Romans were mostly produced in Italy itself, and then exported around the Empire. Later on, these were then often copied by local producers in places such as Britannia.
Lighting is something that we certainly take for granted today. We flick a switch and
Oil lamps came in a variety of shapes and sizes (photo from Wikimedia Commons)