Ancient Greece
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Oil Jugs
Lamp FAQ
Lamps in Antiquity
Ancient Oil Lamp Reproductions
Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much is shipping?

A:  The US Post Office increased shipping rates considerably on May 14, 2007. As a result, location now effects the postage more than before, all shipping will now be determined when your lamps are packed. You will be asked only to cover the actual cost of postage. In general, this ranges from $4.60 to about $12.95 for most orders in the U.S. 

International shipping rates also increased considerably. I'll give you an estimate based on your lamp choices and let you decide, but again, your cost will be the exact amount the post office asks. I'll absorb the cost of packing materials. but be forewarned, these new postal rates often double the overall cost for requests outside the U.S.

Q: When do I pay?

A: You will get a notice when your lamps are ready, and pay then. I do not accept payment before your lamps are ready in case there are unforeseen delays..

Q: What forms of payment do you accept?

A: Credit cards are ONLY accepted through PAYPAL.COM. You may also use personal checks and  money orders.

Q: Are these reproduction lamps useable?

A: Yes. The lamps are low fired ceramics (earthenware). They are fired to the same temperature ranges as original lamps were and, unless requested, they are not glazed (most original lamps were never glazed either). So, like original lamps, they can be used with vegetable oil. Ancient people used olive oil most often. You can use olive oil or less expensive common vegetable cooking oil. Never use any other fuel in these lamps. Also, remember, earthenware is not leak proof. They will absorb oil and if oil is left in them, they will "sweat" it out on the body. Only place a lamp containing oil on easily cleaned and fireproof surfaces, and only use under constant adult supervision. Oil will also "sweat" out during use. It's normal for these. 

Q. Are the reproduction lamps full size replicas or miniatures?

A. These are full size reproductions. Many people are surprised as they are accustomed to seeing very large oil lamps in the movies.  Generally, the clay lamps used in movies are not historically accurate. There are some exceptions, and some of my lamps have been used in productions on the History Channel and The Learning Channel. Most lamps in television and movie production are based on today's concept of how much light is needed with no thought to how much a typical ancient person expected, or could afford to spend for lighting oil.

Ancient clay lamps came in many sizes and most are very small. The size of each reproduction is listed in the description and all are well within the range of original lamps. If you want a larger lamp that holds a lot of oil, choose a North African style, or if you just want a very big lamp, choose the Agora in the Greek Lamps section.

 View a reproduction Herodian lamp with two original lamps

Q. Can I get my lamps glazed?

A.  Yes. Very few ancient lamps were ever glazed before the late Islamic period (early Medieval in Europe). Greek lamps which appear glazed are usually only coated with a non-vitrious slip, meaning those aren't true glazes, which are a form of glass. Romans sometimes glazed lamps, green being the most common choice because it was easiest to produce.

Your replica lamp can have a clear interior glaze added for a small additional cost (see the order form). Full body glazes can be done for $ 2.00 extra. Be aware, glazing can sometimes delay your lamp request a bit as it requires a second firing.

Q. Do you make custom lamps?

A. Yes. I've made several custom lamps, mostly for weddings. The cost depends on the style you need. One couple had me make them a lamp with a special Hebrew inscription and embossed animal figure, so if you want something unique, send me an email. But please keep in mind custom orders can take some time to complete, so think early.

Q. Do you have a retail store?

A. No. The artifact reproductions are only available online. This is a part time hobby that's run as a service to others who also want copies of ancient lamps. 

Q. Where can I get more wicks?

A. One wick is included with each lamp. You may make wicks using 100% cotton rope or manufactured lamp wicks. Extra wicks, including linen and hemp, may be available on the order form from time to time,  but supplies are unpredictable right now. If it's not on the order form, I don't have them available. 

Q. Where is my order- How long does it take?

A. Making Roman lamps is (obviously) not a full time occupation. To make a lamp requires preparing the greenware and then firing. Glaze, if requested, takes additional time. Depending on when in the schedule of production and firing your order arrives, it could be from one to five weeks on average. If you need lamps in a hurry, email me and I will try to accommodate you, but it depends on your request. I've had people ask me on a Friday afternoon to have them at their doorstep by Sunday morning. While I enjoy a good laugh, please don't expect miracles.

Domestic shipping is usually by USPS Priority mail, so generally it gets to you within a few days of being sent- but sometimes it also takes me a few days to get your order packed after you pay. International shipping is unpredictable. Some have got to their destinations in three days, some took over a month and both were sent by the same airmail class of postage.

While I do my best to process your order quickly, in this age of the Internet, it's sometimes hard to remember life is still not instant everywhere- especially in the production of fairly eclectic ancient craft work. 

Q. How did you come to do this?

A. Many people ask this. It began by wanting to have a working Roman style oil lamp and being unable to find one. After some early attempts that worked, but were not impressive, I set it aside for several years until as a graduate student I replicated artifacts in the lab. (I'm now an archaeologist and museum curator). After learning to mold original lamps safely, and finding once I had a mold I could make multiples, I began to make them for others as well as expand my selection. Currently the lamps are a mix of direct molds from ancient lamps and styles based on originals but not using direct moldings. Many are also made with a cast of an ancient body, but new decoration added afterwards. It usually depends on how fragile the original I have to work with is, if it's safe to cast, I'll do it directly, if it might damage it, I model it by hand using the original as a guide. Sometimes creating new styles gets a bit of an obsession based on seeing a style I like and not having one similar to it. The lamps are identified in the description to which they are, direct copies or approximated copies. Many have photos of the original lamp it replicates linked to the text.

Q. What's "Pilosus Figulus?

A. That's Latin for "Hairy Potter."  Here's an image of the "Hairy Potter"

Q. What's the monkey lamp on the navigation bar?

A. That's an original bronze lamp with a chimp dressed as a gladiator. It was found in Pompeii and is in the National Museum in Naples, Italy. I do not have any copies of it. Sorry. 


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