Object Description
A Roman terracotta oil lamp with a decorated concave discus. Within its centre is a depiction of a gladiator. He stands face-on, with his head turned to the left. He wears a crested helmet, whilst holding a small, concave shield in his right hand and a long spear in his left. Protecting this arm is an arm guard, portrayed through the use of deep ridges. The gladiator’s muscular chest is bare, but he does wear a fabric loincloth. His legs are covered to the knee by greaves, whilst his feet remain bare. The discus is surrounded by three concentric circles, decorating the flat shoulders, leading to an angular, voluted nozzle. The filling hole can be found towards the bottom of the discus. The reverse features a simple ring base. This lamp belongs to the Loeschcke type I B/C group, which is characterised by its lack of a handle, circular body, and wide angular nozzle flanked by two volutes.
Date: Circa 1st Century AD