Lamp; vigil light: censer-shaped gilded brass; container for oil and wick ( glass holder missing); Church Slavic inscription below rim is abbreviated; reads “ We ask the blessing of Christ”); pendant hanging of chains attached to 3 “arms”, each with Russian cross at top; length 54.5 cm including hanging device
Collection place:
Russia
Culture or time period:
Greek Orthodox
Person depicted:
Jesus Christ (founder of Christianity)
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Oil lamps
Function:
5.1 Religion and Divination: Objects and garb associated with practices reflecting submission, devotion, obedience, and service to supernatural agencies
Context of use:
According to Irina Barnes (1976) this is a votive lamp which hangs in front of an icon. Would have a glass cup (usually red) to hold olive oil and floating wick. The translation ("we ask the blessing of Christ") is hers but she was not completely sure of its correctness.
Department:
Europe and western Russia (except Classical Mediterranean)