Getty Museum

Lamp with Mask overlaid with gold foil

Date

1st century B.C.–1st century A.D.

Medium

Glass, gold

Culture

Roman

Department

Implements

Institution

Getty Museum

Description: Miniature lamp with interior made of an indeterminate substance, over which gold foil has been applied. The image on the lamp top appears in relief on the gold sheet as a male head, which fills the upper surface between handle and nozzle. Roundels of pale green glass shaped into small concentric circles have been applied in imitation of curls of hair. Locks mostly pale green, at times tending toward pink. Strap handle is covered with gold and blue glass. Filling-hole near handle surrounded by edge of small gold scallops, mostly bent out of shape, as is nozzle hole. Below the man's chin, the upturned nozzle is surrounded by dark blue glass in imitation of a beard. Bottom of lamp was covered with greenish glass paste, which has been damaged. Despite poor preservation of the bottom, part of a central medallion remains, showing a female figure seated to right, holding out an object to a small Cupid in front of her. Broken remains of glass may have covered most of the back, e.g., underneath the nozzle tip is a small patch of glass with an unclear relief.

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