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Source Description
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.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
540821
label
Oil Lamp
core
obj
dtoType
object
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
540821
contentType
object
title
Oil Lamp
description
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.
date
c. 50 BCE–50 CE
rights
CC0
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
wikidata
Q122922152
genreSpecific
Metalwork
imageCount
1
source
import
dimensionsRaw
Overall: 28.7 x 17.8 cm (11 5/16 x 7 in.)
cul
Roman, late Republican-early Imperial (c. 50 BCE – 50 CE)
accession
2023.104
Source extras
tec
Bronze, cast
tombstone
Oil Lamp, c. 50 BCE–50 CE. Roman, late Republican-early Imperial (c. 50 BCE – 50 CE). Bronze, cast; overall: 28.7 x 17.8 cm (11 5/16 x 7 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Barbara S. Robinson and Family, 2023.104
collection
GR - Roman
didYouKnow
When used, this lamp likely hung from the ceiling or stood on a tall lampstand.
creditline
Gift of Barbara S. Robinson and Family
sketchfabId
1946d782b9d949848f75b6b69efcedf7
updatedAt
2026-06-18 21:18:19.039000
sourceId
540821
dept
Greek and Roman Art
coll
GR - Roman
med
Bronze, cast
thumbnail_url
image_url
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
photo
mediaId
8625b4ffb74a1ef1