A Jerash terracotta oil lamp, made of dark clay with a red slip. The nozzle is decorated with a stylised branch above the nozzle, probably an olive branch, with decorative motifs around the perimeter. Small circles to the sides of the nozzle and a solid handle at the rear. 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 8.9 cms (3.5 ins)
 
Published: Item 373: 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.
 
Jerash lamps, primarily manufactured in Jerash (Gerasa) closely resemble Daroma lamps, and are known for their distinctive designs, which often feature intricate decorations in accordance with Jewish law at the time and a characteristic small, unperforated knob handle. The olive branch may be a quiet allusion to the Temple Menorah, which was fuelled by pure olive oil: placing the branch above the flame is almost certainly intentional.
 
See our blog post on Oil lamps from the Jewish Holy Land around the time of Jesus