Double Nozzle Terracotta Lamp with Petal Relief

Description: 

Double Nozzle Terracotta Lamp with Petal Relief

terracotta: mold-made, fabric: fine clay with mica. Munsell 5 YR 4/3 reddish brown
height 3.7 cm
length 10.5 cm
width 9.3 cm

Portland State University Middle East Studies Center
Bogue Lamp Collection, Lamp ID #95, PSU 055 (83)

 

Professor Anne Nicogorski, Willamette University, cited with permission

This double-nozzled lamp has very large wick holes. The pierced discus is decorated with radiating petals. The large handle is in the form of a leaf. There are many cracks around the handle. The lamp is covered with a dark red slip which was probably painted on as there are traces of brush marks present. Shape: Round-bodied lamp with flat base surrounded by two concentric grooves; sloping body profile; central fill hole in broad concave discus; two long extended nozzles, rounded at terminations. Decoration: Slightly suspicious red-brown slip (possibly modern paint -- note brush marks) covering all surfaces except base.  Relief decoration on discus consisting of radiating petals, surrounded by three or four shallow grooves; volutes extending from body to both nozzles; small raised triangles at juncture of body and nozzles; ridges on sides of lamp extending from volutes. Inscriptions: None. Condition: Body and nozzles complete; missing entire handle area and part of body where handle attached.