Handmade ceramic Geometric Oil lamp - GV058COD126

handmade ceramic Geometric Oil lamp, 8th century BC

Oil lamps are ubiquitous in archeological sites throughout the Mediterranean region.

It was a crucial part of life in many cultures. In practice, it was a source of portable artificial light, like a candle or a modern flashlight.

They were also important in sacred environments. They were often used in ceremonies, given as votive offerings, or placed in burial chambers.

The following option gives a good idea of the common types of light bulbs manufactured and used throughout the Mediterranean world, from approx. 1500 BC until the 8th century AD

In this particular vessel we see geometric shapes of animals and geometric patterns that adorn the clay vessel.

Lamps like these, in various sizes, were found in cemeteries like Kerameikos in Athens

Geometric art is the art that developed from the 11th to the 8th century BC, ie during the geometric era.

It is called geometric from the geometric patterns that adorn the clay vessels.

Also geometric are the figures of people and animals, whether they are painted on vases or they are clay or bronze figurines.

The vessels of the geometric art were initially decorated with wavy lines and spirals that were hand-painted on the surface of the vessels.

These wavy lines later gave way to uniform circles and semicircles painted with great precision and with the help of diabetes.

Later, they depicted rows of uniform animals, representations of death that, along with geometric jewelry, adorn the larger vessels used as burial marks.

Microplasty is dominated by the ideal type of hero-warrior, the driver and the horse, symbols of social and political power.

The works, quite unskilled at first, are characterized by austerity, austerity, tectonics, formality and clear outlines.

Over time, the evolution of art results in the rendering of the quality of forms and often the distinction of different styles and workshops with special characteristics each (Corinthian, Argeian, Laconic, Attic, etc.).

An example is the horse figurines, which are usually depicted on perforated or solid bases and are usually found as tributes of pilgrims to the sanctuaries of the time.

Particularly interesting compositions make their appearance timid, such as figures in a circle dance, animal complexes, etc.