Clay Antiquity Oil Lamp Replica
I made this replica oil lamp from air dry clay and the insides of an electric candle. I created this to represent Hebrew oil lamps found dating back to the 2nd century. In the year 167 BCE King Antiochus IV Epiphanes desicrated the 2nd Jewish Temple and constructed an altar to Zeus and outlawed the worship of YHWH Creator. 3 years later the Maccabees (a priesty family) reclaimed the temple and rededicated it back to YHWH. They immediately lit the oil menorah (7 branch lamp) that was supposed to remain lit 24/7. They only had 1 jar (1 days worth of oil). It took 8 days for more oil to be brought to the temple. Miracuously, the single jar of oil kept the temple menorah lit 8 days. This year for Hannukah I put 2 AAA batteries in my replica oil lamp and miracuously they glowed for exactly 8 days!!! To read more about the Hanukkah Story, click here. To see an example of a 2nd century oil lamp that I used as inspiration: click here.
