Working Oil Lamp
Schedule
Sat May 30 2026 at 01:00 pm to 03:00 pm
UTC+01:00Location
Butser Ancient Farm | Waterlooville, EN
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Crafted from pottery, stone, shell or metal, Oil Lamps were designed to burn affordable fuels such as fish oil or animal fats. Simple wicks—made from twisted natural fibres like cotton or hemp - have brought light into homes, workshops, and even monasteries. Unlike expensive candles, oil lamps were the practical and reliable choice for illuminating long, dark nights. Oil lamps have been an essential source of light since late Palaeolithic miners used them to seek various raw materials from the dark crevices of the earth. In this country, they were elevated to a new level by the arrival of the Romans, who adorned these practical tools with decorations and images.
In this workshop, you’ll be guided through the full process of creating your own ceramic oil lamp from start to finish. You’ll begin by looking at historical examples and learning how medieval lamps were designed for both function and durability. This gives you inspiration for your own piece while grounding the experience in authentic techniques and forms.
You’ll then move on to shaping your lamp using traditional hand-building methods in clay. You can choose to follow a historically inspired design or develop your own interpretation. You’ll learn how to form the bowl, create a spout for the wick, and add surface details that reflect medieval styles.
Once your lamp has been completed, you’ll refine it using a range of finishing techniques, including smoothing, texturing, and decoration before it is fired. After firing, which takes approximately four to eight weeks, your finished piece will be carefully packaged and posted to you. You’ll receive a unique, functional ceramic oil lamp that connects ancient craft traditions with your own creativity, along with a wick and instructions.
This afternoon session allows plenty of time to explore the unique site at Butser Ancient Farm beforehand, included in your ticket!
£45 inclusive of all tuition, materials, firing and postage.
Entrance to the farm, a morning’s tuition and expertise, and use of all the tools and materials necessary to create an attractive functional oil lamp, which will be fired and posted directly to participants with a wick and instructions.
Book via Butser Ancient Farm, events page; https://www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/whats-on/calendar/oil-lamp
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Where is it happening?
Butser Ancient Farm, Chalton Lane,Waterlooville, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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