Ancient Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp with Quadriga and Charioteer

40-80 AD

€ 950.00 VAT margin scheme

Article code: 26-0906

Ancient Roman large mould-made terracotta oil lamp with a rounded volute nozzle, a narrow flat shoulder and a deeply recessed circular discus. The discus is decorated in relief with an animated circus scene showing a quadriga rushing to the right. The charioteer stands in the car behind the four overlapping horses, holding the reins and raising his whip. A filling hole is positioned in the lower field, with a small air hole at the junction of the discus and nozzle.

The lamp is made from buff-coloured clay and rests on a broad, flattened base. Its unusually substantial dimensions place it among the larger examples of this type.

Dimensions: ± 136.2 × 99.1 mm

Weight: 117.08 g

Condition: Partly restored with original fragments, see images for a full impression. Despite the extensive restoration, the principal quadriga scene remains readily recognisable. Deposits and signs of wear consistent with age and use.

Reference type: Loeschcke IV; shoulder form IIIa/IVa.

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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 from the Holy Land

Features and Specifications

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

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Ancient Oil Lamps & Candlesticks 21

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Ancient Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp with Quadriga and Charioteer

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