Round Terracotta Lamp with Reclining Figure Relief and Attached Forearms

Round Terracotta Lamp with Reclining Figure Relief and Attached Forearms

terracotta: moldmade, fine with some inclusions and mica. Munsell: 5 YR 5/6 yellowish red
height 3.2 cm
length 8.2 cm
width 6.1 cm

Portland State University Middle East Studies Center
Bogue Lamp Collection, Lamp ID #287, PSU 001bis (2)

Professor Anne Nicogorski, Willamette University, cited with permission

This short-nozzled, closed rim, fictile lamp is held on its rim by a pair of arms which may have been part of a statue. The discus bears a nude figure in bas-relief. Shape: Round bodied lamp with shallow ring base set off by inner and outer circular grooves; slightly rounded body profile; flat shoulder; large concave discus with off center fill hole; short rounded nozzle; two plastically rendered hands grasping either side at shoulder, probably originally attached to a figure. Decoration: Relief decoration consisting of two circular ridges around outer edge of discus; traces of radiating petal design on shoulder; relief in discus of reclining figure on a couch, legs extended to the right, back towards viewer, head turned towards the left, leaning left arm on a cushion, left hand holding vessel, right arm raised holding something (grapes?); some kind of headdress; some drapery around waist. Inscriptions: None. Condition: Lamp mostly complete; badly chipped around wick hole; minor cracks; badly worn and weathered. Figurine mostly missing (only forearms preserved).