Cnidian Oil Lamp, Hellenistic

Handcrafted Replica Cnidian Oil Lamp – Inspired by an Ancient Anatolian Design

Details

This handcrafted replica is based on a Cnidian oil lamp from the Hellenistic period (2nd–1st century BC), produced in Anatolia, possibly in the city of Cnidus. Cnidus, a major coastal city in southwestern Anatolia, was known for its ceramic workshops, producing fine pottery, including distinctive oil lamps that were traded across the Mediterranean.

A Design Rooted in History

This lamp features a biconical body with sharp carination, giving it a lentil-like profile that was characteristic of Cnidian lamps. The broad shoulder is decorated with the typical Cnidian double-leaf pattern, a motif found on many lamps from the region. The concave discus contains a small filling hole, allowing for easy refilling with olive oil, while the short nozzle has a functional yet elegant design.

Lamps of this kind were common across the Hellenistic world, providing light in homes, temples, public spaces, and religious ceremonies. They were designed to burn olive oil, a widely available fuel in the Mediterranean, offering a steady, long-lasting flame when used correctly.

The original Cnidian lamps were made using high-quality terracotta clay, often finished with a dark slip to resemble metal lamps. Their decorative motifs frequently included rosettes, ivy leaves, and theatrical masks, reflecting the artistic influences of the period.

Cnidian Oil Lamps and Their Role in Ancient Life

These lamps were not merely functional items—they also had symbolic significance in Hellenistic society:

• Domestic Use: They provided illumination in homes, often placed on tables or wall brackets.
• Religious Ceremonies: They were used in temples and household shrines, with some examples found as votive offerings.
• Funerary Practices: Many Cnidian lamps have been discovered in burial sites, placed in graves to light the way for the dead in the afterlife.
• Trade and Status: The widespread discovery of these lamps, from Greece and Asia Minor to Italy and North Africa, suggests they were a desirable trade item, carried along maritime and overland trade routes.

Our handcrafted replica brings this historic artifact back to life, allowing you to experience the beauty and craftsmanship of an authentic Hellenistic oil lamp.

Materials

White earthenware

Dimensions

Length: Approx. 75 mm

Production

Each museum-quality replica has been handmade in Northumberland by Potted History, using traditional Hellenistic techniques:

• Hand-formed using historically accurate methods, just as the original would have been.
• Decorated with Cnidian-style motifs.
• Fired using traditional techniques, resulting in unique variations in surface colour and texture.

As with all handmade ceramics, each piece is one of a kind, with subtle differences in glaze, texture, and form due to the natural firing process.

Health & Safety

Before using your lamp, please read the safety instructions:

• Burn ONLY OLIVE OIL in your lamp.
• DO NOT use modern lamp oil or other flammable liquids.
• Place the lamp on a stable, non-absorbent, and non-flammable surface, away from heat sources.
• DO NOT move or pick up the lamp while it is lit.
• Ensure that there are no flammable materials above or near the lamp.
• DO NOT leave the lamp unattended while it is lit.
• Keep the wick trimmed very short to ensure a clean, bright flame and reduce the risk of fire.
• This lamp is not a toy – KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
• Use this lamp at your own risk – we cannot take responsibility for accidents or injuries caused by its use.
• Extinguish the lamp by snuffing it out with a metal spoon – never blow it out or use water.

Instructions for Use

1. Adjust the wick so that it does not protrude above the wick aperture.
2. Fill the lamp with olive oil through the filler hole in the centre. (Allow the wick to soak for 1 hour before lighting for the first time.)
3. Light the lamp.
4. If the flame produces smoke, shorten the wick by gripping it with tweezers through the filler hole and gently adjusting it. (Do not attempt this while the lamp is lit or the wick is hot.)

Ordering Information

• 'Add to Basket' Items: Ready to ship immediately.
• 'Pre-order' Items: Handmade to order within 90 days (longer for international orders). If your order includes both 'Add to Basket' and 'Pre-order' items, they will be shipped together once all items are ready.

Shipping

• Standard shipping: Sent via second-class postal service.
• Faster delivery: If you require first-class shipping, please contact us for a custom quote.
• Carefully packaged to ensure it arrives in perfect condition.

Own a piece of Hellenistic history – order your replica Cnidian oil lamp today!