Oil lamp
Lamp - a small vessel with a wick,filled with oil,used to illuminate rooms in antiquity. Ceramic lamps were the most common,but there were other options,such as metal ones. The lamps could have a variety of shapes. They could have both several ends for fetishes,and contain patterns,plots (especially popular were plots with gladiators,or they themselves could be in the form of an object,such as an animal.
Terracotta lamp. The British Museum. 1-2 century AD
Roman oil lamps. Singidunum was found. Belgrade Museum. 2-4 centuries A.D.
Roman oil lamp with a man playing a lyre. A.D. 40-75The production of lamps was massive. They were created not only by hand modeling,but also stamped through pre-prepared forms.
Form for lamps. 1-2 century AD
Form for lamps. Exhibition in the Hermitage,St. Petersburg,1-2 century ADLight and Space
The lucerna was one of the main sources of artificial light in houses, workshops, shops and sanctuaries. A small reservoir held oil, and a wick projected through the nozzle. Light output was limited, so lamp placement affected where people read, worked, ate or performed household rituals.
Decoration and Dating
Lamps were often decorated with reliefs: games, animals, deities, plant motifs or owner symbols. Disc, nozzle, handle form and maker’s stamp help date a find and identify production region. Lucernae are therefore important not only as household objects, but also as evidence for craft and taste.
Related topics
Peaceful Utensils,Catinum,Calix,Gladiators
Literature
1. D. M. Bailey. A Catalogue of the Lamps in the British Museum. 2. A. Croom. Roman Furniture and Household Objects. 3. John Scheid. An Introduction to Roman Religion.
Roman oil lamp with gladiatorial combat. Romisch-Germanisches Museum,Cologne,1st-2nd century AD
Roman oil lamp. Romisch-Germanisches Museum,Cologne,1st-2nd century AD
Roman ceramic lamp with Minerva, 1st century AD; Staatliche Antikensammlungen, Munich.
Terracotta lamp. Thorvaldsens Museum. 1-2 century AD
Terracotta lamp. Staatliche Antikensammlungen,Munich. 1-2 century AD
Terracotta lamp with a triumph. The British Museum. Second half of the 1st century AD
Terracotta lamp. Thorvaldsens Museum. 1-2 century AD
Terracotta lamp. Thorvaldsens Museum. 1-2 century AD
Terracotta lamp. Thorvaldsens Museum. 1-2 century AD
Terracotta lamp. Thorvaldsens Museum. 1-2 century AD
Terracotta lamp. Thorvaldsens Museum. 1-2 century AD
Terracotta lamp. Thorvaldsens Museum. 1-2 century AD
An oil lamp with two skeletons. Staatliche Antikensammlungen,Munich. 1-2 century AD
Roman oil lamp in the form of a trireme. Found in Singidunum. Belgrade Museum. 2-4 centuries A.D.
Bronze oil lamp with a mouse. 1-2 century AD
Roman oil lamp with chariot. 1-2 century AD
Bronze lamp from Pompeii. 1st century AD
Bronze lamp from Pompeii. 1st century AD
Bronze lamp from Pompeii. 1st century AD
Oil lamp. Found in Limes Germanicus. Munich Museum of Antiquity. 1-2 century AD
Roman oil lamp with eagle. 2nd century ADInterested in Ancient Rome beyond reading? Join Legio X Fretensis or explore our reenactment directions.
