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Reference: CA3 / Cat. No.
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Period:
Roman
Origin:
Europe or eastern Mediterranean
Date:
50 – 150 AD
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Description:
Arched handle decorated with theatre mask (mitra cap, stepped corkscrew hair, palmette below chin).
Fabric:
Copper alloy.
Manufacture:
Cast.
Size (cm):
L. 14.8, W. 6.1, H. 10.2 (ih) [mask: H. 6.6]
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Notes:
Cf. Mariën, 219; BMC IV, Q3669; Hayes, Metalware, 211; Menzel, 716; Conticello De' Spagnolis & De Carolis, Ercolano e Pompei, 83; Conticello De' Spagnolis & De Carolis, Museo Nazionale Romano, Type V, 2; Panazza, 69; Iconomu, 809; (pottery) Rosenthal & Sivan, 368.
Loeschcke Type XX.
Comments:
This type of lamp – of elongated form with flat rim, sunken top and fluked nozzle – has been found widely distributed (including at Pompeii) but many are believed to be of eastern origin, possibly from Alexandria. Their arched handles typically terminate in animal heads, such as that of a bird or horse, or in other stock motifs, such as a theatre mask. The style, size, proportion and angle of the masks vary considerably.
The mask almost certainly represents Dionysus (Green, HEROM 2012, p.32).
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