Lighting DevicesRoman1st century CE

Lamp with Gladiatorial Scenes

1st century CE

Description

Very large terracotta lamp. Broad base. Underside of deep reservoir flares up- and outward with almost straight walls. Slightly sloping rim separated from sunken discus by two ridges defined by narrower ridges. Discus decorated in relief with gladiatorial accoutrements: a pair of leg-greaves, a pair of wrist-guards, two shields, two swords, and two helmets. Small central filling hole surrounded by a ridge also surrounded on either side by a narrower ridge. Double volute nozzle with broad tips and large wick holes. Some restoration at tips of nozzles. Double-leaf or heart-shaped decoration between volutes on the bridge of each nozzle. Horizontal perforated handle supports large, intact triangular handle ornament with decoration in relief: Victory standing beside an altar, holding a cornucopia in her right hand and a trophy (tropaeum) in her left. A shield rests on the altar. Victory is flanked by two Lares (household gods) presenting ritual offerings. Buff fabric with mottled brick-red slip. Classification: D. Bailey, A catalogue of the lamps in the British Museum vol. II (British Museum Publications, 1988), Type D.

Classification

Lighting Devices

Technique

Mold-made

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Roman

Period

Roman Imperial period, Early

Century

1st century CE

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Ancient and Byzantine Art & Numismatics

Dimensions

39 x 19.3 cm (15 3/8 x 7 5/8 in.)

Provenance

Robert E. Hecht, Jr., sold; to the Alice Corinne McDaniel Collection, Department of the Classics, Harvard University (1967-2007), transfer; to the Harvard University Art Museums, 2007.