Unknown (Egyptian) Oil Lamp
Earthenware, 1100-1200 A.D.
LFAC #1994:08:05
The Qualley Collection was named for Orlando Warren (Pip) Qualley, a Luther College alumnus of 1918
who became a member of the Classics Department faculty. He also was a vice president and dean of the
College during his career at Luther which spanned the years 1918 to 1963. Qualley was born in Ridgeway,
Iowa, in 1897 and died in 1988. The Orlando W. Qualley Chair of Classical Languages is named in his honor.
After attending Luther, he earned his master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Michigan where he was
elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa. He received his Ph.D. degree in 1931. Qualley participated in an
expedition to Luxor, Egypt, sponsored by the University of Michigan, in 1921-22 while doing graduate study.
From 1924-1925, he was a member of the University of Michigan Archaeological Expedition which excavated the
Graeco-Roman city of Karanis in the Foyum province of Egypt.
It was during the latter expedition that Qualley discovered the nine oil lamps and two vases which make
up this collection. The oil lamps are fired earthenware, molded, and decorated with embossed designs.
They range in age from the 10th through the 12th centuries AD. The vases are earthenware and wheel-thrown.
Ref: “Qualley Resigns as Dean, Continues Teaching.” Luther Alumnus, Vol. 33 (April 1963);
“The Qualley Era Ends.” Luther College Chips Vol. 106 (February 16, 1989); Boak, Arthur Edward.
Karanis: Topographical and Architectural Report of Excavations During the Seasons 1924-1928.
Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1931; Norlie, O.M. Luther College Through Sixty Years,
1861-1921. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1922.
