Lamp with Maltese Cross from Egypt: 6th to 7th centuries AD
This large copper-alloy oil-lamp with pierced cylindrical base has an openwork handle in the form of a cross, and bears an inscription commemorating local Saints Josipos and Yeranos, indicating that the lamp was used in a church dedicated to them. The upper part of the body is decorated with vine scrolls in low relief, and the frieze around the base also depicts a vine. The vine, the typical symbol of the ancient Greek god Dionysus, was adopted by early Christians to symbolise Christ as 'the good vine'. The image of Christ in the midst of a vine with the Apostles placed around him, symbolises the Christian church.
