2007.104.13: "Bird's Head" Lamp

Identification and Creation

Object Number

2007.104.13

Title

"Bird's Head" Lamp

Classification

Lighting Devices

Work Type

lighting device

Date

69-138 CE

Places

Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Unidentified Site

Period

Roman Imperial period

Culture

Roman

Persistent Link

https://hvrd.art/o/175575

Physical Descriptions

Medium

Terracotta

Technique

Mold-made

Dimensions

4 x 5 x 8.3 cm (1 9/16 x 1 15/16 x 3 1/4 in.)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History

Part of McDaniel Collection at least since 1959: Included in David Mitten's 1959 HSCP article. Probably included in original McDaniel gift.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Transfer from the Alice Corinne McDaniel Collection, Department of the Classics, Harvard University

Accession Year

2007

Object Number

2007.104.13

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Contact

am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

Permissions

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Descriptions

Description

Light buff fabric, no slip. Mold-made, boat-shaped lamp with flat bottom and mid-depth resevoir; the flaring nozzle is an extension of the reservoir. The reservoir top is only slightly indented in a rounded triangular form, has a central filling hole, and is defined by a wish-bone shaped groove. Below this is stamped a stylized pair of bird wings. Below the wings are three very worn, shallowly stamped dots. The nozzle flares out into a convexly curved edge with pointed horns on either side. The handle is vertical, pierced parallel to the reservoir edge; the handle is perhaps adapted to being hung on a wall. Traces of burning on nozzle. On flat bottom is stamped C OPPI RES, referring to C. Oppius Restitutus.

Subjects and Contexts

• Roman Domestic Art

Verification Level