Terracotta oil lamp
Vessberg Type 18. Unpierced handle. Mold-made. Discus: naked man facing front but moving to right, holding large bulbous jar in lowered right hand and with a small amphora below raised left arm; around edge of discus, close-set, short radiating lines. Two filling holes, flanking figure at top. On broad, flat shoulder, stylized vines with many grapes. On concave base, Greek letters in relief:
Broken and repaired, with one small hole and cracks at front around nozzle.
This lamp is unusual since the figure on the discus faces the handle and so the holder of the lamp; most mold-made lamps have the decoration facing the nozzle so that it would be illuminated correctly by the burning wick. Here the figure is flanked by a large fish and an amphora; on the shoulder are vine tendrils and bunches of grapes. This imagery has been taken to be Christian, but the clarity of the molded details show that the figure is in fact nude and is therefore unlikely to be that of Christ.
Broken and repaired, with one small hole and cracks at front around nozzle.
This lamp is unusual since the figure on the discus faces the handle and so the holder of the lamp; most mold-made lamps have the decoration facing the nozzle so that it would be illuminated correctly by the burning wick. Here the figure is flanked by a large fish and an amphora; on the shoulder are vine tendrils and bunches of grapes. This imagery has been taken to be Christian, but the clarity of the molded details show that the figure is in fact nude and is therefore unlikely to be that of Christ.
Artwork Details
- Title: Terracotta oil lamp
- Period: Late Imperial
- Date: 3rd–4th century CE
- Culture: Roman, Cypriot
- Medium: Terracotta; mold-made
- Dimensions: H.: 1 1/16 x 3 1/4 in. (2.7 x 8.3 cm)
- Classification: Terracottas
- Credit Line: The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
- Object Number: 74.51.2239
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Roman
1st–2nd century CE
Roman, Egyptian
2nd century CE
Roman
1st half of 2nd century CE
Roman
2nd century CE
Roman
ca. 25–75 CE
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.