Cleveland Museum of Art

Oil Lamp

Date

c. 50 BCE–50 CE

Medium

Bronze, cast

Culture

Roman, late Republican-early Imperial (c. 50 BCE – 50 CE)

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This large and ornate cast bronze oil lamp features a central hole for filling and a single spout for its wick. Its extravagant handle rises to create both a loop and a sort of hook, one or both of which may have served to suspend the lamp when lit. Alternatively, the lamp may have stood on its own, perhaps atop a tall lampstand. While its primary function may have been for lighting dark spaces, this lamp must also have served an ornamental purpose. When used, this lamp likely hung from the ceiling or stood on a tall lampstand.

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