Byzantium- The Met 

This is the Met Museum’s online collection of Byzantine art. The peacock lamp comes from the early years of the Byzantine Empire (400-600), but the Byzantine Empire existed an extra 900 years beyond that. The Byzantine Empire was formed out of the eastern half of the Roman Empire during the 4th century, encompassing Greece, Turkey, and parts of Egypt and Persia. It lasted about 1000 years longer than western Rome, and became culturally distinct due to its territory in the Middle East and Asia. The Met’s collection highlights how Byzantine art was influenced by a combination of Roman and Middle Eastern influences.

Oil lamps play important roles in many world religions. Shown here are a few examples of these lamps from different faiths. 

Menorah- Judaism 

While most people have heard of Menorahs, many don’t know that Menorahs and Hannukah Menorahs (or Hanukkiahs) aren’t quite the same thing. Menorahs are olive oil lamps with seven branches that traditionally light the Jewish temple and often appear as decoration in people’s homes. The Hanukkiah is a candelabra (not an oil lamp) with nine branches. Hanukkiahs are used specifically during the holiday of Hannukah. Hannukah celebrates the story of when the Jewish people kept the temple Menorah lit for eight days on just one day’s supply of oil. Both are important to the Jewish faith. 

Sanctuary Lamp- Catholicism 

The sanctuary lamp is a small, red lamp that hangs by the tabernacle in Catholic churches. The tabernacle is a special gold box designed to store the Eucharist (consecrated communion hosts). The point of the sanctuary lamp is to let visitors know whether the Eucharist is currently in the tabernacle. Sanctuary lamps can be wax based, but they are traditionally oil, in continuation of Jewish practice. Some Protestant denominations also use sanctuary lamps to signify God’s presence. 

Diya Lamp- Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism 

A Diya lamp is a clay or mud lamp used in several religions. Diya lamps use ghee, which is a type of clarified butter (technically an oil, but very different from olive or modern lamp oil). While practices differ by faith, the general rule is that each temple and each household have a Diya lamp, which is lit during prayers and ceremonies. Diya lamps are typically lit at least once a day, typically for a morning prayer. They are also important in the holidays of Diwali and Karthika Deepam. 

Basic Jar Lamps- Wikihow 

Open Clay Lamps- Instructables  

Jar Oil Lamp- YouTube 

Here are some resources that explain how to make a DIY oil lamp. Basic oil lamps are simple to construct and can be made with a huge variety of supplies. They are often used today for their aesthetic value, or else as simple light sources in emergency situations. Only a few resources are listed here, but there are almost endless methods to create these. 
 
PRO TIP/ SAFETY NOTE: Some tutorials say that oil lamps can be made with self-hardening or air-dry clay. This is fine for purely decorative lamps, but NOT if you plan to fill the lamp with oil and light it. Air-dry clay chars when exposed to heat and will disintegrate if you try to burn oil in it. For functioning lamps, please use kiln-firing clay or one of the glass jar/tin can/non-flammable material options.