Terracotta oil lamp

Unknown

3rd–early 4th century CE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

Broneer Type 28. Mold-made, with unpierced handle. Discus: bust of helmeted Athena, facing left; a single filling hole at edge to right; around discus, a band of two raised concentric lines, surrounded. Shoulder: stylized wreath interrupted by panels at sides. A small hole at the back of the nozzle. Incised lines running along length of the handle. Within an impressed base ring, a flat base impressed with the Greek letters EY. Intact. The base of the handle appears to have been made with the lamp in the mold; the top and front was then carelessly added with a plain bridge joining the two parts. The lamp was made in Athens and is decorated appropriately with the bust of Athena (Roman Minerva) on the discus.

Artist

Unknown

Date

3rd–early 4th century CE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76