Ancient Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp with Foliate Garland

Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid. Roman Imperial period mould-made terracotta oil lamp with a circular body, deeply recessed plain discus and a rare triangular or anchor-shaped nozzle without volutes. The broad shoulder is decorated with a continuous stylised foliate garland. The underside has a circular base ring enclosing a worn moulded relief motif. Size: ± 89.3 × 65.2 mm Weight: 42.59 g Good solid condition. Surface wear, soot discolouration, mineral deposits and minor wear around the nozzle, consistent with age. Much of the dark reddish-brown slip and the shoulder decoration remains preserved. Reference type: Bussière type C I 1 / Loeschcke type II. Provenance: Former André de Munter collection, Brussels. Recorded in Brussels in March 1981. Accompanied by the original handwritten collection sheet with a photograph of the lamp and corresponding inventory number 89. -> Clay lamps were first developed in the Bronze Age, initially designed as open bowl-like vessels. Over time, they evolved into more enclosed forms to prevent oil spills and were crafted using various methods: hand moulding, wheel throwing, and mould production. The use of moulds for lamp-making became prominent during the Hellenistic period (323–31 BCE). Lamps were typically created with two-piece moulds, forming the lamp's upper and lower sections. The top mould often included intricate relief designs that were imprinted onto the clay. This method sped up production and also allowed to add more decoration to the surface of the clay. Oil lamps were particularly popular in the Mediterranean region, where olive oil was abundant and served as an efficient fuel source. Other plant-based oils and animal fats may also have been used. To light the lamps, wicks made from materials like plant fibers, papyrus, or linen were inserted. Beyond domestic use, oil lamps illuminated various settings. They were essential at Roman festivals, in the vast interiors of temples and religious sanctuaries, and in dark spaces like catacombs. In ancient Rome, lamps were sometimes offered as votive gifts to deities. Additionally, they served as grave goods in tombs, symbolizing light for the afterlife.

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