Oil Lamp with a Cross Motif

Due to a lack of archaeological evidence of the existence of Old Christian churches on the Slovene coast and its immediate hinterland, the spreading of Christianity in this area in late Antiquity is mostly demonstrated through small objects. Of these, ceramic oil lamps assume an important role; they were mostly imported from North Africa and decorated with Old Christian symbols such as a cross, Christogram, pigeon, fish, vine etc. A typical example of such imported products with a characteristic relief decoration on the discus and shoulder is the ceramic oil lamp from the Capuchin garden in Koper from 6th century A.D.