An Ancient Roman, terracotta oil lamp featuring a circular body, with one large central filling hole. The shoulder is decorated with radiating ridges and granule trails. The body leads to a bevelled square nozzle decorated with 'V'- shaped ridges that lead to a circular wick-hole. The back features a single applied lug handle. The reverse displays a smooth convex base. Earthly encrustations and signs of wear as consistent with age, such as some surface pitting and scratches. The Roman oil lamp, originally called a ‘lychnus’, from the Greek ‘λυχνος’, has been almost unparalleled in its distribution throughout the Empire. First developed towards the end of the Hellenistic period, oil lamps were to keep their general shape longer than any other item of pottery throughout the Mediterranean. The vast trade networks set with the expansion of the Roman Empire allowed this item to be spread across Europe, Eastern Asia and Northern Africa. Oil lamps were used by the Romans for mainly three reasons; to light private and public spaces, to give as offerings in temples to the gods and to be placed within a grave or funerary context. Measurements: (circa) L 10cm x W 6.5cm Provenance: Ex Israeli collection, pre-1990.