A Jerash terracotta oil lamp, made of dark clay with a red slip. The nozzle is decorated with a lily flower motif on a stem ending with two leaves, with a band of oval patterns around the central filling hole. A little blackening around the area of the nozzle from ancient use.
 
Jewish Holy Land: 1st-2nd century AD.
 
Very Fine condition, complete and intact except for a couple of minor surface chips to the base.
Length 9.6 cms (3.8 ins)
 
Published: Item 365: Oil Lamps of the Holy Land: The Adler Collection; Israel 2004
 
Provenance: Ex Judge Steve Adler collection Jerusalem, acquired since the 1960’s. Exported with export approval licence of the Israel Antiquities Authority.
 
The Jerash lamps, primarily manufactured in Jerash (Gerasa) closely resemble the Daroma lamps, and are known for their distinctive designs, which often feature intricate decorations and a characteristic small, unperforated knob handle.
 
See our blog post about Jewish oil lamps specifically Jerash