Terracotta Canaanite lamp

The lamp was shaped simply by folding up the rim of a circular plate – which had previously been turned on a potter’s wheel (the traces of the turning are clearly visible, especially on the rim) – at four evenly spaced points: viewed from above, the lamp thus displays an attractive design reminiscent of a four-petalled flower. The wide, round base provides the lamp with optimum stability, meaning it is unlikely to be knocked over.