44.1908: Lamp

Identification and Creation

Object Number

44.1908

Title

Lamp

Classification

Lighting Devices

Work Type

lighting device

Date

1-80

Period

Roman Imperial period, Early

Culture

Roman

Persistent Link

https://hvrd.art/o/293470

Physical Descriptions

Medium

Terracotta

Technique

Mold-made

Dimensions

5.9 × 8.6 cm (2 5/16 × 3 3/8 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

44.1908

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Contact

am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

Permissions

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Descriptions

Description

Mold made lamp with slightly raised, thick ring base and flat center. Rounded, flaring walls form underside of reservoir. Obvious join marks between underside and rim. Rim slopes very subtly inward and is separated from discus by two narrow grooves. On concave discus a heavily draped and veiled man, likely a priest, walks to the right, carrying a small animal (a young goat?) in his right hand. Filling hole at lower right of discus. Wide volute nozzle, diamond-shaped at end. Small air hole between volutes at edge of rim. Volutes extend downward to create darts in relief on the sides of the nozzle.

Pinkish-buff-orange fabric. Orange slip with some mottling on underside. Charring at tip of nozzle. Nozzle has been broken and mended and is missing a large chip below left volute. Thin-walled and light.

Subjects and Contexts

• Roman Domestic Art

Verification Level