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Terracotta oil lamp

1st half of 1st century CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 171
Loeschcke Type 1A. Mold-made. Deep, concave discus: two gladiators fighting; the one on the left, who lunges forward to right but with head turned back left over his right shoulder, wearing a crested helmet, holding a large rectangular shield at his left side, and aiming a short sword or dagger in his raised right hand at his opponent; the gladiator on the right faces right, away from his attacker, wearing a crested helmet and greaves, with his curved sword and smaller shield lowered; a single filling hole towards bottom between the gladiators, and a band of lines and grooves on almost horizontal shoulder. Volutes flanking nozzle, with large wick hole. Incised base ring, and flat base.

Intact.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Terracotta oil lamp
  • Period: Early Imperial
  • Date: 1st half of 1st century CE
  • Culture: Roman
  • Medium: Terracotta; mold-made
  • Dimensions: Overall: 1 1/4 x 4 3/8 in. (3.2 x 11.1 cm)
  • Classification: Terracottas
  • Credit Line: The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
  • Object Number: 74.51.1938
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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