Terracotta Lamp with Geometric Relief

Description: 

Terracotta Lamp with Geometric Relief

terracotta: mold-made, fabric: fine with some inclusions Munsell: 5 YR 5/4 reddish brown
height 3.1 cm
length 8.3 cm
width 5.6 cm

Portland State University Middle East Studies Center
Bogue Lamp Collection, Lamp ID #271, PSU 114 (138)

 

Professor Anne Nicogorski, Willamette University, cited with permission

This tan lamp is molded with an ovoid body and a short, thick nozzle protruding from one of the wide ends. The pierced fill hole is recessed. The top is highly decorated with a relief geometric design. Shape: Round bodied lamp with slight ring base set off by circular groove; carinated body profile; small concave discus with central fill hole; extended broad rounded nozzle; very small hole in top of nozzle (intentional??) Decoration: Relief decoration on top consisting of circular groove around the discus; groove and ridge along outer edge of shoulder; three sets of concentric half circles on shoulder, with raised dots filling fields inside and outside; band of short diagonal ridges marking juncture of body and nozzle, from which springs a stylized palmette decorating nozzle axis. Inscriptions: None. Condition: Intact; some minor chips; worn; heavily burnt around wick hole.