Terracotta oil lamp
Vessberg Type 20. Mold-made. Shallow, lentoid shape, with impressed decoration. Large, oval central filling hole, surrounded by a circular groove and broad band containing eight impressed circles with raised rings; towards the edge, a narrow band of impressed dots flanked on either side by a circular groove. The wick hole is placed outside the decorated area. On the uneven base, a disk pattern, poorly executed, comprising a central impressed triangle surrounded by dots, a circular groove, and another band of dots, with an impressed lines flanked by dots extending to front and back.
Intact.
Intact.
Artwork Details
- Title: Terracotta oil lamp
- Period: Early Byzantine
- Date: late 5th–6th century CE
- Culture: Roman
- Medium: Terracotta
- Dimensions: Overall: 3/4 x 3 1/4 in. (1.9 x 8.3 cm)
- Classification: Terracottas
- Credit Line: The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
- Object Number: 74.51.2045
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
More Artwork
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.