Round Terracotta Lamp with Relief of Eros Riding in a Boat

Round Terracotta Lamp with Relief of Eros Riding in a Boat

Egyptian, 3rd century?    

terracotta: mold-made, fabric: fine reddish brown clay with mica. Munsell: 2.5 YR 5/6 red
height 3.5 cm
length 9.4 cm
width 6.5 cm

Portland State University Middle East Studies Center
Bogue Lamp Collection, Lamp ID #49, PSU 069 (96)

Professor Anne Nicogorski, Willamette University, cited with permission

This pink fictile lamp is circular in form. The nozzle, which has been repaired, protrudes from one side. The loop handle (also repaired) protrudes from the opposite side. The eccentrically pierced, recessed discus is decorated with a well-defined relief of Eros on a boat. There is a potter's mark on the bottom, resembling three stalks of wheat with a band around the middle. Shape: Round bodied lamp with shallow ring base. Restored nozzle is short with rounded termination; opposite nozzle is restored; vertical strap handle rises above level of lamp. Concave discus with small fill hole off-center, near nozzle. Decoration: Relief decoration on discus consisting of older, bearded man with petasos and wings seated in small boat holding an oar with right hand while left hand is raised to chin. Floating object in front of man -- lantern? purse? -- rounded with bucket handle. Behind him floats a backward epsilon.  Discus framed by broad ridge between two narrower ridges; rolled radiating tongue pattern on shoulder (stamped egg pattern). Inscriptions: Maker's mark on base consisting of three stalks of grain (triple palm) bundled together in center. Condition: Mostly complete except for handle and nozzle which have been restored with darker clay; otherwise fairly good condition.