Roman oil lamp gladiator Decirivs-Bibius

Product description

The oil lamp is a replica of a piece from the 1st–2nd century. It depicts a gladiator battle; the gladiators' names are Decirius and Baebius. Gladiators were the classical film stars and professional football players, with a fan base and enormous support. Such lamps were mainly employed between the 1st and 2nd century AD. Oil lamps were the principal source of artificial light throughout the Roman empire and afterwards.

Olive oil was originally utilised as fuel, though this oil lamp may of course also be burned with modern lamp oil. The lamp is entirely hand-made using two different moulds and is afterwards fired at a temperature of 1,200 °C. Crafted from red clay, terra sigillata, it measures 11 x 8 cm. Delivery includes a wick.