Delphiniform Terracotta Lamp with Radiating Ridges and Incised Line on Handle

Description: 

Delphiniform Terracotta Lamp with Radiating Ridges and Incised Line on Handle

1st-4th Century CE?

terracotta: mold-made, fabric: fine, dense with some inclusions. Munsell: gray
height 2.7 cm
length 8.2 cm
width 5.3 cm
holes 0.7 cm

Portland State University Middle East Studies Center
Bogue Lamp Collection, Lamp ID #191, PSU 112 (136)

 

Professor Anne Nicogorski, Willamette University, cited with permission

This small grey delphiniform lamp bears radiating ridges on its circular body as decoration. The long nozzle bears only a single incised line as decoration. Shape: Round-bodied lamp with very shallow almond-shaped ring base; rounded body profile; central fill hole within concave discus; long extended nozzle, rounded at end; side lug on right side (nozzle pointing up) in form of a volute scroll. Decoration: Black slip on top, dribbling down sides, not on bottom. Groove outlining discus; single groove along nozzle axis; radiating pattern of alternating grooves and ridges on shoulder. Inscriptions: None. Condition: Intact; chip off side lug; other minor surface chips; worn; some encrustation; some burning around wick hole.