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+--- Thread: Painted Roman Oil Lamps (/showthread.php?tid=10353)
Painted Roman Oil Lamps - marsvigilia - 09-02-2007
I have a collection of reproduction Roman oil lamps. Looking at them I can't help but think they would have been painted. They just look unfinished to me.
Does anyone know if there is any evidence for painting lamps?
Re: Painted Roman Oil Lamps - LUCIUS ALFENUS AVITIANUS - 09-02-2007
No. Roman oil lamps weren't painted. Some of them (some spanish and italian wares) have a little slip of a dark brown or black colour, but covering the whole piece.
Re: Painted Roman Oil Lamps - M. Demetrius - 09-02-2007
I think most of the oil lamps (the small, desktop, palm-sized models) were not regarded as a long term investment. Being unglazed, they would soon begin to ooze oil onto whatever was under them, which might not always be a desirable trait. And they break really easily if dropped or jostled in a box. Those who have travelled to an event can probably agree with that.
Then again, I'm thinking like a 21st c person, not a 1st c.