Clay lamp depicting a street artist

Clay lamps were extensively used in Roman times for lighting the interior of houses, public buildings, sanctuaries etc. They were also used in night processions, funerary ceremonies etc. Lamps had relief decoration on the disc (the upper surface), which was made with a mould. Decorative motifs included mythological scenes, historical events or moments of everyday life. Because of their vast numbers, clay lamps are important sources of information for life in the Roman Empire.

This lamp depicts a street artist at work. He is shown seated on the ground, with a cooking pot, a loaf of bread and a bell in front of him. To the left a monkey holds out its paw towards the artist. To the right there is a ladder with a climbing animal (perhaps a cat). Between the animal and the artist there are two large rings, possibly for acrobatic exercises by the animals. The scene is repeated in many lamps of the 1st c. AD.

PUBLICATION
– Eleftheratou S. 2006. Cat. no. 96, in Choremi-Spetsieri Α. – Zarkadas Α. (eds), The Paul and Alexandra Canellopoulos Museum. Ancient Art, Athens, 160.