Lamp: erotic scene
1st-3rd century
Description
Mold-made lamp with a rounded nozzle that cuts through the rim; a pierced, grooved handle is at the rear. The lamp stands on a flat, circular base. The shoulder is rounded, and the rim is decorated with an egg pattern; on both sides are projections composed of three lobes each. There are losses around the discus. The slightly concave discus is decorated with a scene of lovemaking featuring two male-female pairs on beds. On the left, the woman is kneeling on her left leg, supports herself on her hands, and looks back at her partner; the man is kneeling and approaches the woman from behind, holding her right leg above his head. On the right, the man lies on a bed with his right arm back behind his head; the woman has her legs spread, lowering herself onto her partner. A large vine is over the couples’ heads. There is a small filling hole at the bottom of the discus beneath the decoration. Pinkish-brown clay without glaze. Heavy incrustations on sections of the body, handle, and base. Depictions of lovemaking were frequent in Roman art, both public and private, appearing especially in dining settings, including on cups and frescoed walls, in public baths, and on common household items, such as lamps and ceramics. The form of this lamp corresponds with Broneer Type 27.
Dimensions
14 x 11.3 x 3.3 cm
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