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Reproduction Ancient Roman Oil Lamps
Early Rome
The replica ancient oil lamps in this section represent clay lamp styles used in ancient Rome during the 1st and 2nd centuries AD.  Many of these lamps are molded directly from an original Roman oil lamp. Others are made by adding Roman motifs on lamp bodies made from a mold of an undecorated original Roman oil lamp.  These reproduction Roman lamps can be used with olive oil like the originals.
Sales will resume in 2024.

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replica Roman oil lamp FISHBOURNE 
Circa mid 1st Century AD. 

The Fishbourne is molded directly from an original Roman lamp. It features a winged Cupid playing the flute while riding a dolphin. This image was widespread throughout the Roman world and is found in many forms including sculpture, paintings, and mosaics. One such mosaic was found in excavations of the Roman levels of the city of Fishbourne, England.

The original Roman lamp this reproduction was cast from was acquired by the classical archaeologist F.O. Waage, perhaps in the 1930's. (about 3.5" by 2.5") 

  View the original
GLADIATOR
Circa mid 1st Century AD. 

The same lamp body as the Fishbourne, the discus features a standing Roman gladiator, a popular theme on clay lamps.
(about 3.5" by 2.5") 

  View a similar original
THRAEX
Circa mid 1st Century AD. 

The same lamp body as the Fishbourne, the discus features a standing Roman gladiator dressed in the manner of the Thraex, or Thracian gladiator.
(about 3.5" by 2.5") 

  View an original
ANNVS NOVUS
Circa mid 1st Century AD

The Latin inscription on this clay lamp is seen on a Roman lamp in the British Museum. The translation is about the equivalent of our own "Happy New Year". The words are abbreviated and broken up just as they are on the original (Romans weren't concerned with punctuation). Giving clay lamps to friends and family was a Roman tradition for the New Year. The body used for this lamp is cast from the original Fishbourne body. 
(about 3.5 by 2.5") 

CUNETIO
Circa mid 1st to early 2nd Century AD

Cunetio was a Roman settlement in England. The design on this lamp was a common motif on Roman lamps, depicting  bathing Aphrodite, called the Venus Accroopie. She holds in her hand a large sea shell (a symbol of Venus) and has a towel knotted about her head. The body used for this replica lamp is taken from a cast of an original Roman lamp dating to about AD 50.
(about 3.75 by 2.5")

View some originals
VINTIUM
Circa mid 1st Century AD

Grapes were a popular decoration on Roman lamps, just as wine was popular at Roman banquets. The Vintium, named for a Roman colony in France, has a grape bunch on the discus of the original Fishbourne body.
(3.5" by 2.5") 

 

TRIDENT
Circa mid 1st to early 2nd Century AD

This lamp has a dolphin carrying a trident. Many examples of this motif are known from Roman lamps, and is probably related to Neptune. The body for this lamp was cast from an original Roman lamp in England, and the design carved into the gypsum mold using originals as models.
(about 3.75" by 2.5")  

  View a similar original 
EROS
Circa mid 1st Century AD

Eros, or Cupid, appears with great frequency on Roman and Greek lamps. This winged Eros holds a torch. The body for this lamp was made using the original "Fishbourne" lamp above.
(about 3.75" by 2.5")
 

CIRCESIUM
Circa mid 1st Century AD

Romans loved the excitement of the games, as well as exotic animals. This lamp has a running lion on the discus, a favourite wild beast in Roman art. Circesium was a Roman settlement in Syria, plus we get our word for circus from these Roman games. The body for this lamp uses the original at the top of the page.
(about 3.5" by 2.5")

 

SALARIA
Circa mid 1st to early 2nd Century AD

A plain utility lamp of the mid 1st Century AD using the body of the original Fishbourne lamp, but having no other decoration.
(about 3.5" by 2.5")
 

  View an original
APOLLONIA
Circa mid 1st Century AD

To the Greeks and Romans, among other things Apollo oversaw the arts, learning, and healing. Here he with a laurel branch in his hand, and a lyre by his feet, symbols of his place in education and music.
(about 3.5" by 2.5")

 

KNOSSOS
Circa late 1st to late 2nd Century AD

Knossos was a city on Crete. Among the many symbols found there is the double axe,  which looks somewhat similar to the time-worn elements on this lamp. This replica was molded directly from an original Roman lamp. 
(about 2.75" in diameter) 

  View the original
NOVUM VINTUM
Circa 1st to 3rd Century AD

A lamp body typical of the late 1st through late 2nd Century AD, and also into the 3rd century. The central discus features a grape bunch, and the shoulders have repeating arc. 
(about 3" in diameter) 
 

TIVOLI
Circa 1st to 3rd Century AD

This style of clay lamp was common from about AD 25 to AD 150, but could be found well into the 3rd century. The earlier versions, however, tended to lack handles as the lamps on the Roman Empire page have.
(diameter 3.5")


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