Ancient Roman Terracotta Oil lamp depicting rosette, Type Bussière D II
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Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 330 - € 400
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Ancient Roman oil lamp made of terracotta, depicting a rosette (Type Bussière D II), dating to the 1st–3rd century AD, in good condition, from an American private collection.
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Description from the seller
ITEM: Oil lamp depicting rosette, Type Bussière D II
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st - 3rd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 38 mm x 68 mm x 97 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex American private collection, acquired between 1970 - 2000
PARALLEL: DENEAUVE, J., Lampes de Carthage, Pl. LXXVI, Fig. 821
Roman oil lamps, or lucernae, were a ubiquitous and essential part of daily life across the Roman Empire, serving as the primary source of portable artificial light. The basic design consisted of a reservoir for fuel (typically olive oil), a small hole for pouring the oil, and a nozzle to hold a wick, which was usually made of linen or other plant fibers. While simple in function, they offered a safer and often cleaner alternative to early methods like rushlights or candles, though the quality of the light varied based on the oil and wick used. Most lamps were made of terracotta clay, which was affordable and allowed for mass production, but higher-status examples were also crafted from materials like bronze, glass, or even precious metals.
The distinctive look of the Roman lamp evolved significantly from earlier Greek and Hellenistic forms. By the Imperial period, the most common clay lamps were mold-made, allowing for rapid, large-scale manufacturing. This mold-making technique led to the development of the discus, the circular area on the top of the lamp, which became a prime surface for decoration. Artisans imprinted this area with a vast array of imagery, including mythological figures, gladiatorial scenes, animals, gods and goddesses, or even erotic subjects. Distinct styles emerged, such as the Volute Nozzle Lamp (popular in the Early Roman period with ornamental spirals flanking the wick hole) and later types, including lamps from North African workshops often stamped with maker's marks like FORTIS, indicating specific manufacturers or workshops.
Beyond simple illumination, Roman oil lamps served numerous utilitarian, ritualistic, and symbolic purposes. They were used by everyone from soldiers lighting military encampments to innkeepers lighting their businesses, and by the wealthy in their homes. In religious and funerary contexts, lamps held deep significance: they were frequently dedicated as votive offerings at shrines and temples, as light was considered a blessing. Furthermore, they were a common component in burial practices, often placed in tombs to symbolically light the way for the deceased into the afterlife. The material and decoration of a lamp could also convey social status; metal lamps or those with multiple nozzles (which burned more costly fuel) were often displayed by the wealthy as status symbols.
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license
If you bid outside the European Union and win the item, we will have to apply for an export licence for your country and shipping will take 3 to 5 weeks.
Seller's Story
Your Antiquarian offers ancient art and ancient coins. Our main objective is to offer the highest quality at the best price respecting and strictly complying with the laws of heritage protection and UNESCO heritage norms. Therefore, all the pieces that are published come from private collections in which the provenance can be checked or international auctions. All our antiquities and coins are accompanied by their Certificate of Authenticity. We have a no quibble 90 day return policy. At Your Antiquarian we are committed to helping disadvantaged groups and for this reason a portion of each purchase is donated to charities to help people in need.
Translated by Google TranslateITEM: Oil lamp depicting rosette, Type Bussière D II
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st - 3rd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 38 mm x 68 mm x 97 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex American private collection, acquired between 1970 - 2000
PARALLEL: DENEAUVE, J., Lampes de Carthage, Pl. LXXVI, Fig. 821
Roman oil lamps, or lucernae, were a ubiquitous and essential part of daily life across the Roman Empire, serving as the primary source of portable artificial light. The basic design consisted of a reservoir for fuel (typically olive oil), a small hole for pouring the oil, and a nozzle to hold a wick, which was usually made of linen or other plant fibers. While simple in function, they offered a safer and often cleaner alternative to early methods like rushlights or candles, though the quality of the light varied based on the oil and wick used. Most lamps were made of terracotta clay, which was affordable and allowed for mass production, but higher-status examples were also crafted from materials like bronze, glass, or even precious metals.
The distinctive look of the Roman lamp evolved significantly from earlier Greek and Hellenistic forms. By the Imperial period, the most common clay lamps were mold-made, allowing for rapid, large-scale manufacturing. This mold-making technique led to the development of the discus, the circular area on the top of the lamp, which became a prime surface for decoration. Artisans imprinted this area with a vast array of imagery, including mythological figures, gladiatorial scenes, animals, gods and goddesses, or even erotic subjects. Distinct styles emerged, such as the Volute Nozzle Lamp (popular in the Early Roman period with ornamental spirals flanking the wick hole) and later types, including lamps from North African workshops often stamped with maker's marks like FORTIS, indicating specific manufacturers or workshops.
Beyond simple illumination, Roman oil lamps served numerous utilitarian, ritualistic, and symbolic purposes. They were used by everyone from soldiers lighting military encampments to innkeepers lighting their businesses, and by the wealthy in their homes. In religious and funerary contexts, lamps held deep significance: they were frequently dedicated as votive offerings at shrines and temples, as light was considered a blessing. Furthermore, they were a common component in burial practices, often placed in tombs to symbolically light the way for the deceased into the afterlife. The material and decoration of a lamp could also convey social status; metal lamps or those with multiple nozzles (which burned more costly fuel) were often displayed by the wealthy as status symbols.
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license
If you bid outside the European Union and win the item, we will have to apply for an export licence for your country and shipping will take 3 to 5 weeks.
Seller's Story
Your Antiquarian offers ancient art and ancient coins. Our main objective is to offer the highest quality at the best price respecting and strictly complying with the laws of heritage protection and UNESCO heritage norms. Therefore, all the pieces that are published come from private collections in which the provenance can be checked or international auctions. All our antiquities and coins are accompanied by their Certificate of Authenticity. We have a no quibble 90 day return policy. At Your Antiquarian we are committed to helping disadvantaged groups and for this reason a portion of each purchase is donated to charities to help people in need.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/ Timeframe
1st - 3rd Century A.D
Name of object
Oil lamp depicting rosette, Type Bussière D II
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
France
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
1970
Previous owner - country acquired from
United States
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
