Oil Lamp

MU4202 is a Loeschcke Type IV Roman oil lamp. Oil lamps were used throughout the Roman Empire and were a popular source of artificial lighting. The object is made from clay, is mould-made and has had a light-brown slip applied to its surface. MU4202 has a round body and a small rounded nozzle with large wick hole that is flanked by shortened stylised volutes (spiral scrolls). The discus (central rounded section) depicts in raised relief a biga (two-horse chariot) facing right with a charioteer holding a whip over the horses’ backs. The horses’ legs are raised as they charge forth. There is a ground line upon which the chariot and horses are depicted and above this is a single filling hole. This central scene is then bordered by three concentric circles.