Oil lamp, blue glass

This oil lamp belongs to a fairly rare type. It has same shape as the more common oil lamps that are hung: a foot, an almost spherical body, and a flared rim (see 14/1964). But instead of suspension rings on the sides to attach a hanging, this lamp has a handle so that it can be carried when it is not standing on its foot.

Two related lamps have been found in Mongolia in a Chinese tomb from 1018, helping scholars to date the type.