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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1935.42
Title
Lamp with Gladiatorial Scenes
Classification
Lighting Devices
Work Type
lighting device
Date
1st century CE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World
Period
Roman Imperial period, Early
Culture
Roman
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/216684

Location

Location
Level 3, Room 3620, University Study Gallery
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Physical Descriptions

Medium
Terracotta
Technique
Mold-made
Dimensions
23 x 12.2 x 9.5 cm (9 1/16 x 4 13/16 x 3 3/4 in.)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Mr. and Mrs. Lyman W. Gale, gift; to the Fogg Art Museum, 1935.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Lyman W. Gale
Accession Year
1935
Object Number
1935.42
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Terracotta oil lamp with a small central filling hole and double volute nozzles. Discus decorated in relief with two gladiators, each wearing a crested helmet and holding a shield and sword. A double ridge surrounds the discus. A horizontal handle supports a large triangular handle ornament with a palmette design in relief.

Classification: D. Bailey, A Catalogue of the Lamps in the British Museum, vol. II (British Museum Publications, 1988), Type D.

Commentary
A lamp is a lighting device, which is fueled by oil. Roman lamps are typically made of either terracotta or bronze and are mold-made. Typically, the body is round and closed on top and there is a nozzle with a pick. Terracotta lamps are usually decorated with a wide variety of motifs. In houses, lamps may have stood on the top of a candelabrum (See: 1960.482) to light a room. For a similar, though larger, lamp with gladiatorial motifs see 2007.104.22

Exhibition History

  • Roman Gallery Installation (long-term), Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 09/16/1999 - 01/20/2008
  • 32Q: 3620 University Study Gallery, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 01/23/2019 - 05/13/2019; Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 09/04/2021 - 01/02/2022; Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 01/22/2022 - 05/08/2022; Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 01/28/2023 - 05/07/2023; Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 01/20/2024 - 05/05/2024

Subjects and Contexts

  • Roman Domestic Art

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu