ROMAN TERRA COTTA OIL LAMP

3rd-4th century A.D. Very unusual example. Hand fashioned, not mold made with mysterious designs to the top. 4 1/4 total length. The bottom with hand formed round low foot with a dot and curved line. The top with raised reed like lines flanking the spout. Two pair of unsymmetrical form above and three angled along the right front. The left side with two intersecting a transverse rib and another behind. The right back with two curved and a inverted V. The deliberate assymetry precludes these being decorative, strongly suggestive that they are encriptions. During the period, Christianity was practiced in secret by small cult like groups. It seems very likely that the surface patterns contain a message significant to members of such a group and the hand application of the patterns suggests that the lamp was unique-probably for a specific rite. Surface adhesion from burial. The spout with black stain from use. Only such example we have ever encountered

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