Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st century CE. A charming cast bronze oil lamp with a crescent-shaped handle that projects outward at an angle from the rim. A small, round lid is attached by a chain and fits snugly into the opening in the center of the lamp. The spout bulges outward, with a round opening that mirrors its shape. Two other chains, connected to the lid's chain by a large loop, allow the lamp to be suspended so it can cast light across a large space. Oil lamps such as this would be filled with olive oil, have a wick placed inside of them, and used to light homes, shops, holy places, and many other places throughout the Roman world. Items like this one remind us of the everyday lives of the people who would have used it. Size: 4.3" L x 2.4" W x 2.7" H (10.9 cm x 6.1 cm x 6.9 cm)

Herculaneum was the second city destroyed by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 CE, and, unlike Pompeii, it seems to have been a wealthy town, with many of the houses there decorated with colorful marble cladding. A bronze oil lamp like this one would have fit the luxurious lifestyle a wealthy Roman. Much of Herculaneum was evacuated when Vesuvius began spewing ash and stone; the first phase of the eruption did not affect the volcano's western flank, where the city lay. While roofs in Pompeii collapsed from the weight of ash, Herculaneum received only a light layer of ash - but enough to spur the evacuation. The following night, however, the direction of the eruption shifted, and Herculaneum was buried under several successive surges of ash and hot gas. The city was wonderfully preserved, but remains much less excavated than Pompeii.

Provenance: ex private Los Angeles, California, USA collection; ex Joel Malter collection; purported to have been found at Herculaneum, Italy

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#129087

Intact, with mottled brown / green patina on surface. Light deposits which may contain hardened ash. Chain is in nice condition.