Ca. 5th-6th Century AD A large terracotta oil lamp featuring a cross-shaped handle, a circular discus with a large central filling hole, shoulders and a long nozzle decorated with fish-bone patterns.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 oil lamps. 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. Size: L: 138mm / W: 65mm; 105.3g Provenance: Acquired from a London gallery; Formerly with Arnos Jumperz, Leverkusen Germany. His collection was formed before 1994 and passed by descent to his family.