Hi, all. Here is a
terracotta fragment, possibly from an
oil lamp discus, with a standing, facing figure. He appears to be
cuirassed, with a
shield on left
arm, holding an unknown object or weapon in the lowered right hand. Any ideas, corrections, or elaborations to my description, including potential place of origin and
lamp type, would be appreciated. I found one possible parallel for the motif on a
Roman volute lamp in an online article from the Milwaukee Public Museum, pictured below. Thanks, again, V-drome
BCC CG26
Decorated
Oil Lamp Discus with Gladiator?
Caesarea Maritima
1st-2nd Century CE
Fragment of an Early
Roman oil lamp? consisting
of the central
part of a discus decorated with a
standing figure, possibly a gladiator.
Cuirassed,
shield on left
arm, right
arm lowered holding unknown object.
Underside has traces of faint fingerprint and smear from
pressing into the mould.
Fabric: Medium
fine grained, light
tan clay with traces of black slip or perhaps blackened from
a reduction firing. Manufacture: Mould made.
Origin: ?
Dimensions: 2.7 x 2.3 x 0.45cm.
Weight: 2.07gm.
Surface find
Caesarea Maritima, 1976
(click for larger pic)