Rathgureen Roman Lamp
Handcrafted Replica Roman Oil Lamp – Inspired by the Rathgureen Find
Details
We crafted the archetype for this replica Roman lamp as part of a collaboration with the National Museum of Ireland, which provided us with a sherd of an original lamp discovered at Rathgureen, County Galway. Using this fragment, we have faithfully recreated the lamp, just as the Romans once did, bringing this rare piece of history back to life and sharing it with the wider world.
A Roman clay oil lamp fragment, discovered at Rathgureen during excavations in the 1940s, is now held in the National Museum of Ireland. It is one of the only known Roman oil lamps from Ireland, highlighting a fascinating link between late Roman culture and early Irish society.
Dating from the 4th–5th century AD, the lamp belongs to a style commonly produced in the Eastern Mediterranean. It was designed to burn olive oil, a fuel entirely foreign to Ireland at the time, making it likely an imported luxury item. Its presence in a high-status ringfort suggests it was a symbol of wealth and long-distance connections.
Although Ireland was never part of the Roman Empire, this lamp is evidence that Roman goods and ideas did reach its shores. Whether brought by traders, travelers, or Irish mercenaries returning from Roman Britain, it provides a rare glimpse into early cultural exchange between Ireland and the Roman world.
Our handcrafted replica brings this extraordinary artifact back to life, allowing you to own a piece of Ireland’s untold history.
Materials
White earthenware
Dimensions
Length: Approx. 112 mm
Production
Each museum-quality replica is entirely handcrafted using traditional Roman techniques and historically accurate tools.
- Made using authentic methods, just as the original would have been
- Fired using traditional techniques, resulting in unique variations in surface colour and texture
- Each piece is one of a kind, just as with original Roman lamps
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 any 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
- Adjust the wick so that it does not protrude above 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 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 Roman history – order your replica oil lamp today and bring the light of the ancient world into your home!
SHIPPING
'Add To Cart' items are ready to send straight away. Please be aware that if bought alongside 'Pre-order' items, your order will be sent when all items are ready.
'Pre-order' items are made to order, and we will dispatch them as soon as we have handcrafted them for you; this usually takes 90 days, but international orders can take a little longer.
We ship our fabulous replicas worldwide.
Shipping costs are worked out during checkout. They are based on where you are in the world and how heavy your parcel is, which can be very variable.
All items are sent using a second-class postal service. If you wish to have an item sent first class, please contact us for a quote. Many Thanks
RETURNS
If you aren't completely satisfied with your Potted History piece, please get in touch to organise a return. Email us at
clare@rothburycreates.co.uk
Then you can send it back at your own cost in an unused condition within 30 days, and we'll refund you for the cost of the item or items returned. If you include your order number with the returned package, that will speed things up. Please leave any original packaging intact.
Our returns address is:
Potted History, Gregory Court, Rothbury, Northumberland, NE65 7SW
PRODUCT VARIATION
Please be aware that due to items being handmade and finished, colour variations will occur during the making process, and each replica will have some differences. Also, know that the item photographed may not be the one that you receive, and colours can appear differently on different screens. Please ensure you look at all the images to get a fully formed idea of the item you are ordering as we try to capture the variations within the images we share. If you prefer a specific colour variation, please contact us before ordering.