Roman Terracotta Round Oil Lamp, Mediterranean to Holy Land Region, 1st-4th Century AD

Description

Material: Clay. terracotta

Period: Mid to late Roman Imperial

Date: 1st to 4th century AD

Origin: Mediterranean basin to Holy Land regions

Condition: F+ small crack to base and possible handle lost in time

Description: A plain moulded circular terracotta clay lamp with circular moulding around filler and robust spout; light sandy desert encrustations

Size and Weight: 92mm x 71mm x 35mm. 104g

Features and Provenance: Light was integral for security. work. ceremony and travel when the sun went down. Oil and animal fats were the only suitable resources for lamps and olive oil. in particular. was plentiful. A wick was coiled into the body of the lamp that had been filled. the wick soaked up the oil and the wick protruded through the side hole and was lit. Lamps were made by pressing clay into a mould and then fixing the two halves together. Early production line factories were developed to make lamps such was the demand.

Property of a Lady collector

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of the artefact and there are grades between

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of pattern etc present. visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of pattern etc present. but may be worn

Fine (F). Wear on the artefact and parts of item and pattern etc may be missing or not visible