Lamp with the Three Hebrews before Nebuchadnezzar

Art Historical Context

This delicate earthenware lamp, crafted in the 5th–6th century, captures a dramatic biblical scene from the Book of Daniel: the Three Hebrews—Shadrach Meshach, and Abnego—standing resolute before King Nebuchadnezzar, sentenced them to the fiery furnace for refusing to worship his idol. Molded in relief on the lamp's surface, the figures emerge with expressive gestures and flowing robes, evoking the tension and faith of the story. Produced during the late antique period in the Near East, this small artifact (just under 2 inches high and 4.5 inches wide) exemplifies the era's innovative ceramic techniques. Artisans used molds to create intricate, repeatable designs on everyday oil lamps, blending functionality with storytelling. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art department, it reflects the cultural crossroads of Jewish, Christian, and emerging Islamic traditions, where such motifs circulated widely. Its survival offers a window into daily devotion and popular piety, illuminating how ancient narratives inspired household objects. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1927, this lamp reminds us of art's power to preserve timeless tales of courage.