Object Description
An ancient Roman terracotta oil lamp featuring a deep-set body with a single pierced handle. The lamp sits upon a flat base. The small concave discus is adorned with two figures in profile. To the front is a bearded male, identified as Serapis by the modus on his head. Behind him is a female figure, wearing a headdress and clearly recognisable as Isis. Her headdress features a solar sun disk framed by two cow’s horns on either side. The discus is surrounded by two concentric circles. The shoulder’s of the lamp are large and flat and feature a highly decorative motif. A vine tendril with large leaves and clearly defined grape clusters undulate across the surface. The vine tendrils end in two opposing scrolls, sitting just above the small, heart-shaped nozzle. There is a small ring handle to the rear of the lamp, decorated with two grooves. The reverse features a flat base, marked by three concentric circles. At its centre is a maker’s mark of three palm fronds on a linear base. The mark bears resemblance to other lamps, with a North African origin. Taking into consideration the subject matter, this would fit well with our lamp also.
Date: Circa 2nd century AD