Ancient Roman Terracotta Lucerne

The piece we are examining is a Roman terracotta lamp from the High Empire period (1st–2nd centuries AD), an object that not only served as a source of lighting in daily life but also as a medium for cultural, religious, and social meanings. These oil lamps were common across all levels of Roman society, from humble homes to the villas of the elite, and their decorations reflect the tastes, beliefs, and stories of their time.

The specimen in question features a circular design with a well-defined spout for the wick outlet and a filling hole at the top.
The material, terracotta, was the most common for this type of object due to its low cost and ease of mold production. This example, despite the passage of time, is in a good state of preservation, allowing us to clearly appreciate the central decoration, the surface treatment, and the details of the relief.

During the High Empire, decorated lamps were elements that transcended their utilitarian purpose: they were placed in homes, temples, and funerary spaces, and were sometimes even included in grave goods as offerings to accompany the deceased in their passage. The decorative themes could range from religious symbols, animals, erotic scenes, gladiators, or mythological episodes, all reflecting a diverse and complex society.

There are parallels to this type of piece in archaeological collections from cities such as Pompeii, Ostia, and Herculaneum, where lamps with reliefs depicting very similar scenes have been found. Museums in Rome and Naples preserve numerous examples with representations of gladiators, dancers, and mythological figures, comparable to the decoration of this example.

Acquired from a Spanish private collection, F.C.B in the 80s.
The piece includes an authenticity certificate.

The seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will ensure that any necessary permits are arranged; this process can take between 2 and 4 weeks.

IMPORTANT: Due to new laws on the export of archaeological pieces, we have decided to NO LONGER sell outside the European territory for the following countries: Switzerland & United States of America.

For destinations outside European territory: all our items will be shipped after obtaining a definitive EXPORT LICENSE from the Ministry of Culture of Spain. We inform our clients that it may take between
4-8 weeks. According to Spanish legislation, items sent outside the European Union are subject to export taxes. The taxes will be added to the invoice at the buyer's expense. These export fees are fixed based on the final auction price, and the tax rate is not applied directly to the total value of the item to be exported, but rather, different percentages are applied to sections of it.
Up to 6,000 euros: 5%. / From 6,001 to 60,000 euros: 10%.

Please note that for far destinations (Asia, Middle East, etc.), there will be an additional cost for shipping.