Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp with Kanthros and Herms

Object Description

A fine Roman oil lamp moulded from terracotta featuring a circular, concave discuss enriched with a central kanthros. To the right is a herm in left profile with a hoop behind while there is a further herm to the left of the kanthros. Three concentric bands frame the scene and the filling hole is in the upper right field. The oil lamp displays a voluted angular-tipped nozzle. The flat base features one incised band and a central planta pedis with a raised arrow-like motif to the right.

This oil lamp resembles Loeschcke type I B, Bailey A group III

Date: Circa 1st century AD

Object History

Madame Suzanne Gozlan then by descent. Madame Suzanne Gozlan (1921-2022), Doctor of History and Archaeology, professor at the Ecole Normale d’Instituteurs de Chartres and lecturer at the University of Paris, Sorbonne.

Object Condition

Fine condition, some encrustation to the surface. Label to the base from the previous owner.

Object Details