Lamp

Lamp

TERRACOTTA

A small, intact lamp with some unusual features in shape and design plus an uncommon discus scene. Its form has most affinity with that of Loeschcke Type IV, Bailey Type B, group V lamps, but its nozzle tip is more angular and the shoulder decoration is unusual. There is a round body, a rounded shoulder decorated with a relief vine and grape bunch pattern separated from the discus by a narrow band and an internal groove (Loeschcke Shoulder-form VIIIb), a concave discus decorated with a relief scene of Cheiron the centaur with his lyre teaching music to a young centaur, a voluted nozzle and a ring handle placed on the rear of the lamp, opposite the nozzle. There are two grooves on the rear edge of the handle that merge together near the bottom, forming an elongated V-shape. There is a filling hole in the discus below Cheirons's belly and a small air hole near the edge, adjacent to the nozzle. The nozzle has a flat top decorated with a floral relief pattern, a pointed end that is rounded at the tip and a large oval wick hole. The internal edges of the volutes are defined by a small ridge, which also runs around the end of the nozzle. The lamp is set on a low base-ring, within which is a large, very fine"X" in relief. The clay is light orange in colour. It has been coated with a dark orange-red slip that is very worn. A lighter coloured incrustation covers much of the surface.

Function:
Used to burn oil to provide light or for funerary or votive purposes.

Decoration:
Rim: there is a relief pattern with scrolling, interlaced vine tendrils and several bunches of grapes.
Discus: Cheiron is placed in the centre and right side of the discus. He is shown in profile, facing left, with his human torso twisted around so that he can hold his lyre up with both hands, supporting it on his left forearm above his equine back. He looks down at a young centaur placed on the left side of the discus who sits on his haunches, facing right, holding a flute in his right hand while looking up at Cheiron. Both figures are set on a relief ground line and have bent left forelimbs.
Nozzle: the floral relief on the top, between the volutes, consists of a rose-like flower with small indistinct petals (three or four) arranged around a central dot. Indistinct shapes on both sides of the flower, near the discus, may represent leaves.

Purchased from B. A. Seaby Ltd, London, 1983.

AD 50 - 150

83.043