Roman Lamp

Late 1st century BCE-early 1st century CE (?)

1 1/4 in. x 2 1/2 in. x 4 3/16 in. (3.2 cm x 6.3 cm x 10.7 cm)

This object has the following keywords:

• lamps - Lighting devices having a vessel to contain fuel used as a source of illumination, such as grease or oil. The term also refers to relatively small -- of a size to be placed on or beside a desk or table -- household or office lighting devices that incorporate a vessel of glass or some similar material that encloses the source of illumination, whether a candle, oil, gas-jet, or incandescent wire inside a light bulb. The lamp was invented at least as early as 70,000 BCE, originally consisting of a hollowed-out rock filled with moss or some other absorbent material that was soaked with animal fat and ignited. To refer to the glass bulbs used as a component of electric lamps, use "light bulbs."
• Roman - Refers broadly to the period, styles, and culture of the state centered on the city of Rome from the period from the founding of the city ca. 700 BCE through the events leading to the founding of the republic in 509 BCE, the establishment of the empire in 27 BCE, and the final eclipse of the Empire of the West in the 5th century CE. Ancient Rome became a powerful force and supplanted Greek and Etruscan influence on the Apennine peninsula. Its rule and influence gradually encompassed a wide area in Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Minor. Its influence was wide in scope, including sculpture, painting, architecture, engineering, language, the road system, law, and many other areas of culture. Roman art and architecture is characterized by early derivations from Greek art and architecture, but it gradually developed into a style of its own, absorbing characteristics of styles from the far flung regions under its control.

This object is a member of the following portfolios: