Phoenician - Oil lamp, cup-shaped bowl with pinched edges - 7th–4th century BCE.

This Phoenician oil lamp features a cup-shaped bowl with pinched edges, a design dating from the 7th to 4th centuries BCE. Oil lamps were vital for providing light in ancient households and temples, typically fueled by olive oil and equipped with a wick. The Phoenicians, renowned sailors and traders of the Mediterranean, influenced numerous cultures through their craftsmanship and designs. The lamp’s form maximizes oil capacity while facilitating efficient combustion. Its simplicity and functionality reflect everyday objects' role in illuminating ancient life, while also embodying Phoenician ceramic and metalworking traditions prevalent in that historical period.