Ancient Roman, Empire Terracotta Lucerna - 90 mm

Terracotta lamp with Cupid riding a dolphin from the 1st–2nd centuries CE, an essential piece to create an atmosphere of seduction, desire, and love.

And that precise ritual began when the flax wick in olive oil, perfumed, burned in the bedroom and its scent permeated the sheets dyed purple or saffron—a colors associated with luxury and sensuality, in addition to the smell of incense or myrrh that came from a small brazier.

Also garlands of roses and ivy leaves (a symbol of exaltation and loyalty) to summon the god of love and, beside the bed, the necessary tray of oils applied to different parts of the body to maximize the sensory effect as a gesture of immediate intimacy—note:

- marjoram for the hair
- mint on the arms and thyme for the legs
- nard for the chest

All of this fostered an intimate and joyous atmosphere fundamental to invoking the presence of the god of love. The lamp itself, with the engraving of Cupid mounted on a dolphin, was a talisman-light to invoke the divine power of uncontrollable and irrational desire, legitimizing and blessing the union.

From there, with this disk lamp, they had 8 hours to share an intimate moment, 480 minutes of light equivalent to a modern 40 W bulb, more than enough to stimulate the senses…

That is why they were very popular during the 1st and 2nd centuries CE, because, in addition to illuminating, they were indispensable narrative supports of classical myths, for example:

● Cupid and Hercules: Lying on his club, it symbolizes that love can overcome brute force and even the strongest hero;

● Cupid and the myth of Psyche, a tale about the life of the aristocrat Lucius who, by accident, becomes a donkey and encounters the harsh reality of slaves, saved by the goddess Isis;

● Cupid with a torch: if lit, it meant the flame of desire, and if inverted, unrequited love;

● Cupid with a double flute on a dolphin symbolized the triumph of love over the elements of nature.

In fact, it bore a bow and arrows which, if they struck a mortal: the gold arrows generated irresistible love, while the lead arrows caused rejection.

Ultimately, an indispensable piece made by professionals, especially in Italy, Spain, and North Africa, who mastered the clay refinement technique and the furnace at 1000 ºC and invoked the presence of the god of love to reinforce the atmosphere of intimacy and pleasure.

Disclaimer: I’m sending you this object from Spain by certified mail with a tracking number. If you receive it in an area with a special tax regime, your local customs may hold it until you pay a fee, and this, as the seller, is outside my control.