In Antiquity, a lamp was originally called a ‘lychnus’, from the Greek ‘λυχνος’, with the oldest Roman lamps dating back to the third century BC. It is thought that the Romans took the idea for lamps from the Greek colonies of Southern Italy. During the Roman Empire, it became commonplace to use lamps in funeral ceremonies and for public purposes. This particular example is known as a Samaritan style, due to the large numbers found and produced in Samaria. Samaritan lamps have been divided into two groups; V.LR20 and V.LR21. The distinction between the two groups is mainly stylistic. V.LR21, of which this lamp belongs, is defined by the channelled nozzle, piriform body and ladder motifs. Their decorative patterns were mostly geometric, due to the lack of decorative space encompassed by the channel. Unusually lamps of this type were sold with their discus unbroken. It was then broken before use. It has been argued that the discus was left unbroken so there was no risk of impurities spreading.
To discover more about the ancient origins of oil lamps, visit our relevant post: Oil Lamps in Antiquity.
