Historical information

It is unknown how this came into the collection at the Warrnambool Museum. However, during the 18th and 19th centuries it was fashionable for young men of means to undertake a 'grand tour'. During their travels they would often pick up souvenirs with these sometimes being ancient artefacts from classical Greece or Rome. It is thought that the item most probable came to the museum in this manner.

Significance

From discussion with specialists at the British Museum and the University of Reading it was ascertained that the oil lamp is indeed ancient Roman and over 2000 years old. The marking on the top could be Venus although it is quite worn away so it is difficult to tell for sure.

Physical description

A terracotta oil lamp housed in a wooden box. On the top of the lamp are 3 circle incisions and in the centre of the circles is a depiction of a figure. There is a small finger sized handle on the side of the lamp. The handle has 2 incised lines leaving 3 raised ridges. It is squared off at the top. The top of the oil lamp has a hole in which to place a cloth wick and a spout from which the smoke would have come out. The spout is blackened from smoke. The container box is guessed to be from the time of acquisition which would be around the early 1900s and is made from a polished wood. Light in colour.

Inscriptions & markings

In the box was a label saying, 'Venus coming out of the gate of the temple'. It also stated that the lamp may have been placed at the feet of the dead in the catacombs.