Description: An Ancient Roman Era terracotta Oil Lamp. 1st-3rd Century AD. Ref. CL-12
Maker: Unknown, possibly North Africa
Date: Circa 1st-3rd Century AD.
History: Lamps of this type were made through the employment of stone, wood or terracotta moulds. Normally two moulds were required: a top mould for the top part of the lamp and a bottom mould for the bottom part of the lamp. Clay would be pressed into these moulds forming the shape which also included a nozzle or spout (in some cases more than one) to accommodate the wick and also a filling hole for the oil that would be later poured into the main reservoir of the vessel. Decorative details would have also been added at this point since many of the moulds demonstrated an array of pre-designed motifs on them. Once the clay was pushed into the mould, the mirror image of the motif would be transferred onto the malleable clay. Once the desired shaped had been obtained, the clay would have been removed from the moulds and the two segments were joined together by the potter who would smooth out any visible joining lines before baking in a kiln.
Marks/Observations: Possibly a moulded piece in reddish terracotta, but I suspect that it may well have been hand made. The lamp shows a rather angular nozzle, a very flat discuss with nine oil holes and central rosette design. A circular decoration of a wreath of leaves (?) and a raised indented border is found on the edge, demarcating the discuss from the well below.. The well (or base) is shallow and quite flat and tilts away from the nozzle. What remains of a possible handle is observed on the side, an unusual feature as the majority of oil lamps show the handle directly opposite the nozzle. A shall hole is found on the base of the lamp. A number, 336, is found painted on the side and evidently this lamp was from an old collection.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE: This is a GENUINE ancient Oil Lamp, NOT a reproduction as found on popular websites
Condition: As shown in the photos
Dimensions: 88 mm diameter not including the nozzle and standing 26 mm high
Price: R1200.00
Please note, I am NOT a qualified archaeologist/antiquarian and the description I have given is based on research of the subject.
This is a genuine antique. Please remember the classification of an 'antique' is that it should be 100 years old, OR MORE.
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