Lamp for a Stand, Early Byzantine

Lamp for a Stand, Period: Early Byzantine. Material: Bronze.  Found: Egypt. In the shape of a peacock, with circular foot; the spout is at the end of the tail, and the hole for filling in the back is covered by a hinged leaf-shaped lid.

British Museum is closed 24, 25 and 26 December and 1 January, but is open every other day of the year. Fast facts about the British Museum: Founded: 1753, Collection size: 8 million objects, Oldest object in the collection: Stone chopping tool (nearly 2 million years old).