Ancient Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp with Erotic Scene

1st century - early 2nd century AD

€ 750.00 VAT margin scheme

Article code: 23-0917

Ancient Roman mould-made terracotta oil lamp. The recessed circular discus depicts an erotic scene on a bed: a nude man kneeling at the left while holding up the leg of a reclining woman. The scene is accompanied by an off-centre filling hole.

The broad shoulder is decorated with concentric grooves. A small air hole is positioned at the entrance to the round-tipped volute nozzle. At the rear is a projecting lug handle, while the underside has a circular base ring.

Roman Imperial period, approximately 1st century AD to the beginning of the 2nd century AD.

Size: ± 119.7 × 77.2 mm

Weight: 80.93 g

Good solid condition. The erotic relief remains clear and detailed. Minor surface wear and deposits consistent with age and use.

Reference type: Cf. Bussière and Lindros Wohl, Ancient Lamps in the J. Paul Getty Museum, catalogue nos. 181–182; Loeschcke type IV, Bailey B group ii.

Erotic imagery was a recurring decorative theme on Roman oil lamps, particularly during the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. Such lamps were used in domestic settings and should not automatically be associated with brothels. Their intimate scenes offer a fascinating insight into Roman attitudes towards sexuality, humour and private life.

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Clay lamps were first developed in the Bronze Age, initially designed as open bowl-like vessels. Over time, they evolved into more enclosed forms to prevent oil spills and were crafted using various methods: hand moulding, wheel throwing, and mould production.

The use of moulds for lamp-making became prominent during the Hellenistic period (323–31 BCE). Lamps were typically created with two-piece moulds, forming the lamp's upper and lower sections. The top mould often included intricate relief designs that were imprinted onto the clay. This method sped up production and also allowed to add more decoration to the surface of the clay.

Oil lamps were particularly popular in the Mediterranean region, where olive oil was abundant and served as an efficient fuel source. Other plant-based oils and animal fats may also have been used. To light the lamps, wicks made from materials like plant fibers, papyrus, or linen were inserted.

Beyond domestic use, oil lamps illuminated various settings. They were essential at Roman festivals, in the vast interiors of temples and religious sanctuaries, and in dark spaces like catacombs. In ancient Rome, lamps were sometimes offered as votive gifts to deities. Additionally, they served as grave goods in tombs, symbolizing light for the afterlife.

Late Roman–Early Byzantine Terracotta Oil Lamp with Inscription ‘The Light of Christ Shines for All’

Features and Specifications

Period	Ancient, Roman
Category	Artefacts
Material	Pottery, Terracotta
Country	Roman Empire

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Ancient Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp with Erotic Scene

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1st century - early 2nd century AD

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