ticketsMember | Make a donation

Terracotta oil lamp

ca. 90–200 CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 171
Loeschcke Type 8. Mold-made, with shallow, deeply carinated body. Discus: locust facing right, eating grapes; a single filling hole at bottom. On shoulder, a pattern of impressed ovules, interrupted at the sides with two axe head-shaped designs. Stylized volutes flanking nozzle. Base ring outlined by two concentric grooves, and a flat base, with an impressed marker's mark, comprising two Greek letters: C Є, flanking a spray with three berries. Pinkish-buff clay.

Intact.

The lamp was probably made in Syria–Palestine.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Terracotta oil lamp
  • Period: Imperial
  • Date: ca. 90–200 CE
  • Culture: Roman
  • Medium: Terracotta; mold-made
  • Dimensions: Overall: 13/16 x 3 5/16 in. (2.1 x 8.4 cm)
  • Classification: Terracottas
  • Credit Line: The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
  • Object Number: 74.51.2256
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Terracotta lamp mold, Terracotta, Roman
Terracotta lamp mold
Roman
1st–2nd century CE
Terracotta oil lamp in the shape of a boat, Terracotta, Roman, Egyptian
Terracotta oil lamp in the shape of a boat
Roman, Egyptian
2nd century CE
Terracotta lead-glazed lamp, Terracotta, Roman
Terracotta lead-glazed lamp
Roman
1st half of 2nd century CE
Terracotta hanging lamp in the form of a comic actor, Terracotta, Roman
Terracotta hanging lamp in the form of a comic actor
Roman
2nd century CE
Terracotta lamp handle, Terracotta, Roman
Terracotta lamp handle
Roman
ca. 25–75 CE

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.