Oil lamp from manises

Museum of the Alhambra, Room VII, Palace of Charles V. Saturdays at 12.00 h

Ms DOLORES GÓMEZ GARCÍA

This October the Museum of the Alhambra will be presenting an oil lamp from Manises (Valencia). This was used for lighting and is therefore an excellent choice for this year, declared the “International Year of Light” by the General Assembly of the United Nations.

The Museum of the Alhambra offers us a tour of light through lighting tools which for several centuries have been essential items in any household.

This piece dates from the second half of the 14th century and was made using the lustreware technique. Other important examples of this technique can also be found in the Museum. This oil lamp has a flat disc-shaped base with a shaft rising out of the centre. At the top of the shaft there is a pan for the oil with a pinched spout. A handle runs between the pan and the base.

It is decorated almost entirely with gold on a white background. It has a beautiful and original geometric pattern. Concentric and zigzag lines adorn the shaft forming consecutive band designs which descend towards the base.

This is one of the Museum’s latest acquisitions and can be seen in Room Seven of the Museum of the Alhambra, where it is waiting to illuminate us.

Time: Saturdays at 12.00 h

Place: Room VII, Museum of the Alhambra, Palace of Charles V

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