Caption

Oil lamp, Islamic art, Arabic culture, Umayyad dynasty 661–750, Hisham II Umayyad caliph; 691–743, utility ceramics, Arabic ceramics, oil lamp used in everyday life in the Middle East, geometric ornament. Made of fine yellowish clay, modelled in a two-part mould; the upper part was decorated in relief with rosette motifs arranged symmetrically among delicate dots. The entire composition at the edge of the lamp is surrounded by an ornamental band filled with a chevron pattern. 7th–8th century, found at Khirbat al-Mafjar. Height 3.2 cm, width 6.9 cm, length 11.0 cm., An oval, disc-like object with a rough, textured surface sits against a pale gray background; it is primarily beige with variations of light brown and sandy tones, showing darker brown areas around some edges and recesses. The object has a large central circular opening and a smaller circular opening near one tapered end, and a raised knob-like projection near the opposite side. The surface is marked with shallow incised patterns and scratches forming repeating linear and triangular motifs, and there are small pits and worn areas giving an overall weathered appearance. The lighting produces soft shadows beneath the object and subtle highlights on its upper surfaces, emphasizing its three-dimensional form and textured details.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A30_246

License type

Rights managed

Available size

67.0Mb (1.5Mb) / 18.7in x 13.9in / 5604 x 4179 (300dpi)

Keywords

Oil lamp Islamic art Arabic culture Umayyad dynasty 661–750 Hisham II Umayyad caliph 691–743 utility ceramics Arabic ceramics oil lamp everyday life Middle East geometric ornament fine yellowish clay modelled two-part mould upper part was decorated relief rosette motifs arranged symmetrically delicate dots entire composition edge lamp surrounded ornamental band filled chevron pattern 7th–8th century Khirbat al-Mafjar Height 3.2 cm width 6.9 cm length 11.0 cm oval disc- object rough textured surface sits pale gray background primarily beige variations light brown sandy tones showing darker brown areas edges recesses large central circular opening smaller circular opening near tapered raised knob- projection near opposite side surface marked shallow incised patterns scratches forming repeating linear triangular motifs small pits worn areas giving weathered appearance lighting produces soft shadows beneath subtle highlights upper surfaces emphasizing three-dimensional form textured details.