Oil lamp, 2 parts

A fragmentary oil lamp, made of silver-toned metal, consisting of a body and a lid. The body is spherical, with a convex bowl that gradually narrows downward, forming a stepped rim with a cylindrical (fragmentary) stem. To the upper part of the body are attached two applied cherub figures (one cherub is lost), with fittings for suspension chains. The lid is dome-shaped, stepped, with a loop.

The oil lamp belonged to the pre-war collection of the Sloboda Ukraine Museum named after H. S. Skovoroda. During the Second World War it was evacuated and returned to Kharkiv in November 1944.

Note: the oil lamp is a traditional lamp with a flame, used during religious rites and before icons. In churches, oil lamps are lit during services, feasts, and prayers. A lit lamp reminds the faithful that God is the true Light, which dispels the darkness of evil, sin, and despair.