AGM and The Lamp of Knowledge: the Symbol of the Society of Antiquaries

The AGM will begin at 16.45 followed by our President, Nathalie Cohen's lecture at 17.00.

This paper presents some results of research on the Society of Antiquaries' lamp, used as the organisation's ‘symbol of ticket’ since the 18th century. Originally identified as a Roman artefact, subsequently re-dated to the medieval period, and more recently suggested to be a Jewish sabbath lamp, this presentation will discuss other examples identified in collections in the UK and beyond, depictions of lighting during the medieval period and present some initial thoughts on the context of the lamp’s discovery and the lived experience of Jewish communities in England.