Terracotta oil lamp

Unknown

late 5th–6th century CE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

Vessberg Type 20. Mold-made, with flat lentoid shape. Discus: stylized palm tree with circles flanking trunk at bottom, surrounded by a narrow band of short impressed lines. A single central filling hole; wick hole in front edge of shoulder. On underside, a central circular pattern and bands running off to edge at front and back. Intact. Encrustation obscuring part of impressed design. The impressed decoration in the form of a stylized date-palm tree is unusual.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 5th–6th century CE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76