A Byzantine moulded terracotta oil lamp produced in the Holy Land. It features an ovoid body which would have tapered into a nozzle, the terminal of which is now chipped. The large central filling hole is encompassed by three raised rings, from which raised ridges radiate and decorate the sloping shoulders. A geometric design, composed of a series of raised circular dots and two concentric rhombi, decorates the nozzle. A protrusion acts as a handle at the rear of the lamp. The oil lamp has been repaired, with visible cracks running down the sides and across the mid-body on the reverse of the oil lamp. The nozzle displays a large chip. The Byzantine Empire existed as a continuation of the Roman Empire in its eastern provinces, meaning that the form of these oil lamps shows strong similarities to the Roman style. Christianity was the predominant religion in the Byzantine world, and this is reflected in the decoration of the lamp, which could have been used for either domestic or ceremonial purposes. Early Holy Land lamp decoration during the Byzantine period became more abstract, featuring lines, crosses, dots, and geometric shapes. Measurements: (circa) L 10.5cm x W 6.4cm Provenance: Ex Scottish collection, 1970s.