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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Identification and Creation

Object Number
39.1908
Title
Lamp
Classification
Lighting Devices
Work Type
lighting device
Date
175-250
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Africa, Tunis
Period
Roman Imperial period
Culture
Roman
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/293417

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Terracotta
Technique
Mold-made
Dimensions
14 × 9.3 cm (5 1/2 × 3 11/16 in.)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Lent by the Misses Katherine B. and Mary D. Upham, March 14, 1908.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Loan from Estate of Donald Upham and Mrs. R. U. Hunter
Object Number
39.1908
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Mold made lamp with concentric ring base. Broad, flat reservoir with slightly curved, flaring walls. Moderately rounded rim, ringed with what appears to be stylized vegetation, probably the tops of acanthus leaves. A circular wreath appears above the nozzle. Slightly concave discus with a curly-haired man in a toga, standing and facing forward. In his right hand he holds a long palm branch. He clasps the front of his toga with his left hand. Filling hole on viewer's right side. Mid-length nozzle with rounded triangular tip. Small volutes at edge of nozzle flank circular wick hole. Pierced handle broken above rim. Underside of handle with central groove and volutes at lowest point of join with reservoir, abutting ring base.

Partly legible cursive inscription on underside of reservoir along left side of lamp: . . AELORVM

Orangish-tan, heavy fabric with beige particle inclusions. Slip ranges from a muted orange to a chocolate brown color. Charring at tip of nozzle. Chipping on base and underside.

Subjects and Contexts

  • Roman Domestic Art

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu