Casting light on the Roman oil lamp

Image source: ancientresource.com
At the height of its power, the Roman Empire covered much of West Asia, approximately a fourth of Europe, and the entire northern coastal area of Africa. The vastness of its territory meant that society today has been gifted with countless ancient artifacts and ancient arts from the Empire scattered across the world. An example of the artifacts is the Roman oil lamp, which Sadigh Gallery has plenty of.

Almost every Roman then possessed an oil lamp because it was their primary source of light during the night. Oil lamps were said to be one of the most common items that can be seen in households during the ancient times.

While several materials can be used for creating ancient oil lamps, the Roman versions were usually made of ceramic, particularly gypsum or plaster. This allowed for ornamentation of the lamp to the liking of its creator. The Romans were quite fond of divinity, art, and nature, themes that were apparent in the design of the oil lamps. Sadigh Gallery has a wide collection of uniquely designed oil lamps.

Image source: numisantica.com
On the lamp’s base is the so-called “maker’s mark,” which is akin to the signature of the manufacturer. It indicates the specific workshop where the oil lamp was made, and also provides archaeologists and historians a way to date the artifact and determine where it was crafted.

Sadigh Gallery is a New York-based art gallery that sells antiquities and also does appraisals. They also help collectors prevent fraud, ripoff, and fake items, ensuring they receive only authentic ancient artifacts. For similar reads, subscribe to this blog.

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