Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp with Deity

Object Description

An Ancient Roman terracotta oil lamp featuring a round body with a sunken discuss and a heart shaped nozzle. A single ring handle has been applied to the back and is marked with two grooves. The shoulder is decorated with a laurel-wreath including leaves and berries. The discuss displays a deity, likely Ceres facing right. Her hair is presented in an untied hairstyle with a diadem and she is wearing a stola. The reverse features a flat base with two concentric circles and a further smaller one at the centre. A scallop shell design is incised on the back of the nozzle.

This oil lamp resembles Loeschcke VIII; Bussière form D X 4a

Date: Circa 175- 225 AD

Object History

From a specialist collection of Roman oil lamps formed by Robertson Brockie (deceased), all acquired before 2008 from a central London ADA gallery, Southport Lancashire.

Object Condition

Fine condition, encrustation to the surface, hairline crack to the base.

Object Details