Roman Oil Lamp Dolphin

Roman Lamp Details

This lamp's design is based on examples excavated from sites in Britain and throughout the Roman Empire. This type of lamp would have shone out through the dark winter nights across this far northern outpost of the Roman Empire, providing a warming glow in houses, temples, military camps, milecastles and turrets along the length of Hadrian's Wall. The lamp is a fully functional replica that can be used to burn olive oil, just as the original would have done. Before attempting to use your lamp, you must read the operating and safety instructions.

This lamp comes with one cotton wick so that you can use your lamp as soon as you have read the safety instructions.  One wick will give you hours of light if used correctly, but should you wish to have more than one wick. You can purchase spare wicks by following this link: Lamp Wicks

Production

Each lamp is made using a process that replicates that of the original Roman potters. Every lamp is carefully hand-pressed into a specially made lamp mould, where it is left to dry until it is solid enough to remove. It is then trimmed of excess clay and hand finished before the wick, and filling holes are cut. Finally, each lamp is individually hand-dipped in a red slip finish before it is fired.  

Materials

White earthenware with a white slip finish 

Dimensions

Approx 120mm long

Variation

The lamp is available in both white clay and red terracotta. 

Health and Safety

Before attempting to use your lamp, you must read the operating and 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, far from any sources of heat. 

Always snuff out the flame, never blow it out. Never use water; extinguish the lamp by snuffing it out with a metal spoon. 

DO NOT attempt to move or pick up your lamp whilst it is lit.

Ensure that there are no flammable materials above or near the lamp. 

DO NOT leave your lamp unattended whilst it is lit.

Keep the wick trimmed very short to ensure a clean, bright flame and reduce fire risk.

This lamp is not a toy; KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

Use of this lamp is at your own risk; we can not take responsibility for accidents or injury caused by the use of this lamp.

Instructions

Before filling your lamp, adjust the wick so that it does not protrude above the edge of the wick aperture.

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).

Light the lamp. If the flame produces smoke, shorten the wick. This can be done by gripping the wick with tweezers through the filler hole and gently turning it round, rewinding the wick into the wick aperture. This should not be done whilst the lamp is lit or the wick is still hot. 

Postage

All items are sent using a second class postal service; if you wish to have an item sent first class, please contact me for a quote. Many Thanks