Spätrömisch / Frühbyzantinisch Terracotta Öllampe

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A fine late Roman terracotta oil lamp featuring an elongated oval body with a circular discus, decorated with a central deer, flanked by two filling holes. The shoulders of the lamp are decorated on both sides with a series of 4 leaves clover / floral decorations. At the top of the lamp there is a solid handle which is flattened at both sides. The lamp sits on a ringed foot.

± 130,2 x 80,8 mm
Condition: Good and solid condition, grip partially restored. Very nice representation of the deer with fine detail. Some encrustations of sand. Signs of wear consistent with an ancient artefact.

Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).

-> Clay lamps were first developed in the Bronze Age, initially designed as open bowl-like vessels. Over time, they evolved into more enclosed forms to prevent oil spills and were crafted using various methods: hand moulding, wheel throwing, and mould production.

The use of moulds for lamp-making became prominent during the Hellenistic period (323–31 BCE). Lamps were typically created with two-piece moulds, forming the lamp's upper and lower sections. The top mould often included intricate relief designs that were imprinted onto the clay. This method sped up production and also allowed to add more decoration to the surface of the clay.

Oil lamps were particularly popular in the Mediterranean region, where olive oil was abundant and served as an efficient fuel source. Other plant-based oils and animal fats may also have been used. To light the lamps, wicks made from materials like plant fibers, papyrus, or linen were inserted.

Beyond domestic use, oil lamps illuminated various settings. They were essential at Roman festivals, in the vast interiors of temples and religious sanctuaries, and in dark spaces like catacombs. In ancient Rome, lamps were sometimes offered as votive gifts to deities. Additionally, they served as grave goods in tombs, symbolizing light for the afterlife.