Miniature Roman Multi-Nozzle Oil Lamp

$372.57

A miniature Roman terracotta oil lamp with a D-shaped body and three short and rounded nozzles. There is one central filling hole and a large loop handle to the rear. The base features three concentric circles. The discus remains plain and undecorated.

Date: Circa 2nd - 3rd century AD
Provenance: From the collection of Arno Jumpertz, Leverkusen, Germany, 1924-1984. Much of the collection was exhibited at Neus museum, 1985.
Condition: Very fine. Some loss of glaze.

SOLD

SKU: AH-568 Category: Tag:

A lamp with more than two nozzles was called a polymyxus. The number of nozzles was not limited but vast quantities found only have one. Oil lamps were used by the Romans for mainly three reasons; to light private and public spaces, to give as offerings in temples and to the gods and to be placed within a grave or funerary context.

To discover more about oil lamps, please visit our relevant blog post: Lighting The Way.

Weight 49.5 g
Dimensions L 7.1 x W 4.7 x H 3.4 cm
Culture

Pottery and Porcelain

Region

Reference: The J. Paul Getty Museum, item 83.AQ.377.433

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