Oil Lamps
During Byzantine times, oil lamps were decorated with crosses, animals, human likenesses, birds, fish and other such motifs. During the Ottoman period, they were decorated with geometric, linear and raised dot patterns. Some were fancier, with calligraphy used as decoration.
Oil lamps are made of ceramics, glass, bronze and brass and often combined materials. Some of the most ornate oil lamps are made of ceramics and are used to decorate mosques and mausoleums. In addition to providing lighting, it was thought that hanging the lamps in clusters by chains would help the acoustics of the building and eliminate echoes. In addition to religious uses, oil lamps were widely used in homes before electricity was readily available.
During Byzantine times, oil lamps were decorated with crosses, animals, human likenesses, birds, fish and other such motifs. During the Ottoman period, they were decorated with geometric, linear and raised dot patterns. Some were fancier, with calligraphy used as decoration.
Oil lamps are made of ceramics, glass, bronze and brass and often combined materials. Some of the most ornate oil lamps are made of ceramics and are used to decorate mosques and mausoleums. In addition to providing lighting, it was thought that hanging the lamps in clusters by chains would help the acoustics of the building and eliminate echoes. In addition to religious uses, oil lamps were widely used in homes before electricity was readily available.