Terracotta oil lamp

5th century BCE
Not on view
Howland Type 22A. Wheel-made. Black glaze applied to interior and exterior sides, with base and top of inverted shoulder reserved in contrasting red clay. Shallow body, with convex curving side, broad shoulder, and inverted rim. Slightly raised base ring, and a shallow, concave base. Raised open tube through bottom, rising almost to the height of the rim. Projecting, rounded nozzle, with a large wick hole slanting inward to reservoir.

Intact, but surfaces heavily pitted, cracked, and chipped.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title:
    Terracotta oil lamp
  • Period:
    Classical
  • Date:
    5th century BCE
  • Culture:
    Greek, Attic
  • Medium:
    Terracotta; black-glaze
  • Dimensions:
    7/8 × 3 9/16 × 4 5/16 in. (2.3 × 9 × 11 cm)
  • Classification:
    Terracottas
  • Credit Line:
    The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
  • Object Number:
    74.51.5847
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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