Judean, Late Roman / Early Byzantine, ca. 4th-5th century AD. A ceramic oil lamp of a teardrop-shaped body that features a recessed discus with relief cross decoration. The intersection of the cross arms, where the oil filling hole is located, highlights the lamp's practical utility. The shoulder of the lamp is further enhanced by intricate relief embellishment, which includes a large cross on the front. The lamp sits on a flat base while the loop handle with a central groove enhances the ease of handling and transport. Ceramic oil lamps were widely used in the Byzantine Empire for both practical and symbolic purposes. They provided a reliable and portable source of light that could be used both indoors and outdoors. The use of oil lamps was not limited to the domestic sphere; they were also used in religious and ceremonial contexts. For example, lamps were used in churches and during religious processions to symbolize the light of Christ and the faith of the worshippers.Size: L: 132mm / W: 82mm ; 120gProvenance: Private UK collection; From an old British collection formed in the 1990s.