Fish-shaped lamp side view

Byzantine and Christian Museum, Athens, Greece

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Material: Clay, terracotta
Date range: 4th-5th century AD
Origin: Unknown (likely Byzantine/Early Christian period)

A close-up, side profile photograph of a dark, reddish-brown terracotta lamp. The lamp is distinctly shaped like a fish, with molded details indicating scales, fins, and an eye. A Christogram (XP) is visible in relief on the body of the fish. The lamp has a small hole near its tail for suspension, and its mouth forms the spout where oil and a wick would have been placed. This type of fish-shaped lamp, which also includes the apocalyptic letters A and Ω, is dated to the 4th-5th century AD.

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Side profile of a terracotta fish-shaped hanging lamp with Christian relief symbols

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Source:  Athens, Greece