ITEM: Lamp filler
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Byzantine / Islamic
PERIOD: 7th - 10th Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 13 mm x 48 mm x 85 mm x 108 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex American private collection, Arthur M. Sackler (1937-1987)
PARALLEL: BRITISH MUSEUM Collection, accession number 1896,1116.6. Yale Art Museum, Accession number 1929.580

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

Lamp fillers from the Byzantine-Islamic period were small vessels designed to refill oil lamps, a crucial item for everyday life and religious rituals during this era. These vessels were typically made of ceramic or glass and featured a narrow spout and a handle, allowing for precise pouring without spilling. The compact design of the lamp filler made it easy to carry and use for refilling oil lamps, which were essential for providing light in homes, religious spaces, and public buildings. The use of oil lamps persisted across the Byzantine and early Islamic periods, and lamp fillers played an important role in maintaining the functionality of these lamps.

During the Byzantine period (330–1453 CE), lamp fillers were often simple in form but could also feature decorative elements, such as Christian symbols, crosses, or floral motifs. With the advent of Islamic rule in the 7th century CE, the artistic style and motifs of lamp fillers began to shift, incorporating Islamic geometric designs and calligraphy. However, the basic function and form of the lamp filler remained largely consistent. The use of such vessels transcended cultural and religious boundaries, reflecting the shared daily needs and practices across Byzantine and early Islamic societies.

Lamp fillers from this period provide valuable insight into the material culture and domestic life of the time. They were not only functional objects but also artistic expressions, often produced by skilled artisans. Archaeological finds of Byzantine-Islamic lamp fillers in regions such as the Levant, Egypt, and North Africa highlight the blending of artistic traditions between the two cultures. These objects also underscore the continuity of daily life practices, such as lighting homes and sacred spaces, even as political and religious landscapes changed with the transition from Byzantine to Islamic rule.