ITEM: Lidded box MATERIAL: Pottery CULTURE: Chinese, Hoi An shipwreck PERIOD: 15th Century A.D DIMENSIONS: 37 mm x 57 mm diameter CONDITION: Good condition PROVENANCE: Ex Butterfield & Butterfiel auction with oficial Hoy An Hoard labels. 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. Byzantine oil lamps, used widely from the early Byzantine period (circa 4th century CE) to the fall of the empire, were essential items for daily life, religious practices, and symbolic rituals. These lamps were typically made of clay, bronze, or occasionally glass, and fueled by olive oil, which was readily available in the Mediterranean. Byzantine lamps generally featured a closed, often circular body with a nozzle for the wick and a handle for easy transport. Many were decorated with Christian symbols, such as crosses, fish, and chi-rho monograms, reflecting the profound influence of Christianity in Byzantine culture. These lamps provided light in homes, churches, monasteries, and public buildings, illuminating both daily and sacred spaces within Byzantine society. The design and decoration of Byzantine oil lamps evolved over time, showing the influences of earlier Roman models as well as the rise of new artistic styles. Early Byzantine lamps retained Roman features, such as the use of terracotta and simple, functional forms. However, as Christianity became more established, the iconography shifted to incorporate Christian symbols, saints, and religious scenes. Some lamps were inscribed with prayers or invocations, which were thought to provide spiritual protection or blessings. Additionally, Byzantine lamps often bore intricate floral or geometric patterns that showcased the empire’s skilled craftsmanship. This decorative approach made Byzantine lamps not only functional lighting devices but also aesthetic objects that conveyed religious and cultural identity. Beyond their use as practical tools, Byzantine oil lamps had religious and symbolic significance. Oil lamps were used in churches to symbolize the presence of divine light and as offerings in Christian rituals, reflecting themes of enlightenment and spiritual guidance. They were also placed in tombs as part of burial rites, possibly to light the way for the deceased in the afterlife.