Terracotta oil lamp
Hayes Type 2. Mold-made, with unpierced handle. Discus: chi-rho, with top at back, decorated with lines of dots, and other symbols with the P and below the two horizontal arms; two filling holes at either side; discus surrounded by a raised line that extends forward at the front, forming a broad channel to large wick hole. Shoulder: pattern of raised symbols arranged in squares and triangles. Flat oval base, with a central cross, decorated with a vertical line; two raised lines around edge of base, joining with two other lines that extend towards the back of the handle, and two other sets of lines flanking the nozzle; a row of raised dots around bottom of body.
Intact.
On the discus is the Christian chi-rho monogram. The shape and decoration of this lamp, made somewhere in the Greek East, are related to and probably copied from those of African red-slip ware lamps.
Intact.
On the discus is the Christian chi-rho monogram. The shape and decoration of this lamp, made somewhere in the Greek East, are related to and probably copied from those of African red-slip ware lamps.
Artwork Details
- Title: Terracotta oil lamp
- Period: Late Imperial
- Date: 5th century CE
- Culture: Roman
- Medium: Terracotta; mold-made
- Dimensions: H.: 1 1/4 x 3 5/16 in. (3.2 x 8.4 cm)
- Classification: Terracottas
- Credit Line: The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
- Object Number: 74.51.2039
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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1st–2nd century CE
2nd century CE
1st half of 2nd century CE
2nd century CE
ca. 25–75 CE
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