Fish Shaped Terracotta Lamp

Description: 

Fish Shaped Terracotta Lamp

terracotta: mold-made, fabric: fine, brownish clay
height 3.4 cm
length 10 cm
width 7.1 cm

Portland State University Middle East Studies Center
Bogue Lamp Collection, Lamp ID #55, PSU 181

 

Professor Anne Nicogorski, Willamette University, cited with permission

This tan lamp is molded in the shape of a short, round fish. The nozzle is an extension out of the mouth. The small fill hole is pierced behind the gill-covering; the entire appearance of the lamp is that of a fish and is well-defined. The bottom bears a readable potter’s mark. Shape: Plastic lamp in the shape of a round fish; ring base; mouth forming extended squarish nozzle with wick hole; small vent hole slightly off-center (ca. 2 mm diameter). Decoration: Covered with slip. Fish with ridged upper fin, forked tail with ridges, small lower fin also ridged; body covered with incised scales; more pronounced at top; raised area surrounding eye -- raised ring with central round boss and curved eyebrows; ridges extending onto nozzle; four circular knobs around wick hole. Inscriptions: Potter's mark on base. Condition: Intact; some minor scratches; slip quite worn.