Auction 75 · Lot 304
Along with ancient, related tool. Lamps: 3 x 3.5 inches and 3 x 2.5 inches.
Along with ancient, related tool. Lamps: 3 x 3.5 inches and 3 x 2.5 inches.
- Estimate
- $1,500–$2,500
- Hammer price
- Not recorded
Historical auction record. Hammer prices exclude buyer’s premium and taxes.
author
A SEALED OIL LAMP AND AN OPENED OIL LAMP
summary
The Mishnah instructs that one is not permitted to open an oil lamp on Yom Tov as the process of opening completes the making of the item.
Set with two cavities (one for the oil and one for the wick), terracotta (keli cheres) lamps were specifically manufactured as sealed (incompleted), in order to keep the lamp pure against an individual who might have been ta’ameh. When the lamp was ready to be used, the seals would then be opened.
Included in this lot is a sealed oil lamp and an opened oil lamp, along with an ancient tool to break open the lamp.