Terracotta oil lamp

Unknown

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

Vessberg Type 20. Mold-made. Shallow, lentoid shape, with impressed decoration. Large, oval central filling hole, surrounded by a broad band containing a star pattern between two circular grooves; the star pattern comprising four linear radiating spokes, each consisting of two rows of small impressed circles flanking a central groove and, between the spokes, four triangles (the two at back, containing a single impressed circle, and the two at front, three impressed circles; the outer circular groove broken by the wick hole. On the uneven base, a disk pattern, poorly executed, comprising a central dot with a circular groove, surrounded by a row of impressed dots and another circular groove, with a linear spoke at front, and traces of dots at back. Intact.

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