Lamp Details
Although simple-looking, this tallow burning lamp, based on finds made by the Museum of London Archaeology, was a vital tool in the Roman world as a source of light during the dark nights. A fairly common find in London, there are also examples from Colchester and Europe that date from AD 43 until at least the mid-2nd-century.
Residue testing has revealed that these lamps were most commonly used to burn tallow, rendered beef or mutton fat, but olive oil was also used as fuel.
This lamp comes with one cotton wick so that you can use your lamp as soon as you have read the operating and 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
As with all our Museum Quality Replicas, we have made this pot, as the original would have been, entirely by hand from natural clay and using replicas of the types of tools that the ancient makers would have used. As each pot varies, you may not receive the vessel in the image, but you can be sure that your pot will be one of a kind due to the variations caused by the firing process.
Materials
Terracotta earthenware
Dimensions
Approx 165 mm long, 60 mm high
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 to extinguish the flame.
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 to reduce the risk of fire.
This lamp is not a toy; KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
Use of this lamp is at your own risk; we cannot take responsibility for accidents or injury caused by the use of this lamp. With this being an open lamp, the possibility of spillage is greater, so we would only recommend you use this lamp outside.
Extinguish the lamp by snuffing it out with a metal spoon.
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 (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 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