ticketsMember | Make a donation

Terracotta oil lamp

late 5th–6th century CE
Not on view
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.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 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

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Terracotta wine amphora, Terracotta, Roman
Terracotta wine amphora
Roman
ca. 100 BCE
Terracotta lamp in the form of a camel, Terracotta, Greek or Roman
Terracotta lamp in the form of a camel
Greek or Roman
3rd century BCE–3rd century CE
Terracotta volute lamp with sea monster, Terracotta, Roman
Terracotta volute lamp with sea monster
Roman
1st century BCE–1st century CE
Terracotta lamp mold, Terracotta, Roman
Terracotta lamp mold
Roman
1st–2nd century CE
Terracotta oil lamp in the shape of a boat, Terracotta, Roman, Egyptian
Terracotta oil lamp in the shape of a boat
Roman, Egyptian
2nd century CE

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

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.