LAMP

A complete Roman, North African red slip ceramic oil lamp, type Hayes IIA dating to the 4th-5th century AD. These lamps were manufactured in factories in North Africa specifically the Carthage region. The lamp is mould made from an oxidised red terracotta ceramic which has then had a red slip applied. The lamp discus has two holes one an oil pour-hole, the other an air vent typical of this type. On the discus, the lamp is decorated with a central moulded possibly Christian image in relief in the form of a running lion in profile facing right with the hind legs and tail of the animal extending over length of channel. Bubić (2010:271 Fig .59) shows a similar lamp with a running lion. The central motif has a border or sculpted garland on the shoulder above and below consisting of a circle motif, followed by alternating ivy leaves and squares. The lamp has a wide-open nozzle channel and rounded nozzle. The lamp has an integral mould-made wedge-shaped handle with no perforation, typical of this type. On the base, there is a tear-shaped foot ring within which are two concentric engraved circlets. The lamp has a crack running around the body but it remains in one piece. The white concretion is Thames 'race' which has adhered to the lamp.

Although relatively common in parts of the Roman empire, this is an unusually late lamp with Christian iconography for Britain and has been noted as of regional importance.

Dimensions: length including handle: 143.04mm; length: 128.98mm; diameter of body: 87.09mm; max width of nozzle: 33.67mm; internal diameter of oil hole: 7.76mm; internal diameter of wick hole: 16.77mm; height of body: 36.07mm; height including handle and foot: 53.84mm; weight: 184.30g

Bubić (2010:236) writes "Lion symbolism - As one of the most formidable animals in the cat family (Felidae), the lion has always left a deep impression on people thanks to its appearance, size, strength, shaggy mane and majestic demeanour. For Jews, the lion was a symbol of strength, power and awe, and its image became the insignia of the Tribe of Judah. The Old Testament story of the prophet Daniel, who was thrown into the lions' den by the Babylonian king, served as an example of the unwavering faith which Daniel had in God (Dn 6, 17-24). Samson, a man of great physical strength, subdued a lion with his bare hands, while David, initially a young and brave shepherd, killed lions in the pastures and thus saved his flocks from these savage beasts.
According to legend, lion cubs are born dead. But the male, grieving over them, can revive them with his breath after three days. Because of this, the lion symbolized resurrection and became a symbol of Christ who is the master of life. Christ overcame death by his sacrifice on the cross. The lion also symbolizes Christ's regal dignity. The Book of Revelation maintains that lion symbolizes Christ particularly because of its ability to vanquish evil and overpower darkness: "Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed [...]" (Rev. 5, 5)."

References: Hayes, J.W. 1972. Late Roman Pottery, British School at Rome. W. Heffer and Sons Ltd. Cambridge.

Hayes, J.W. 1980. Ancient Lamps in the Royal Ontario Museum I: Greek and Roman Clay Lamps. Toronto.

Bubić, V. 2010. Late Antique oil-lamps with Early Christian images from the Archaeological Museum in Split. Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb Department of Archaeology. Croatia