{"product_id":"ancient-carthaginian-oil-lamp-bronze-coins-carthage","title":"Ancient Carthaginian Terracotta Saucer-Shaped Oil Lamp with Associated Bronze Coins | Circa 5th Century BCE–1st Century AD","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carthage, Roman North Africa (Modern Tunisia)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial: \u003c\/strong\u003eTerracotta pottery with associated bronze coins\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod: \u003c\/strong\u003eLate Punic to Early Roman Period, Circa 5th Century BCE–1st Century AD\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis ancient terracotta saucer-shaped oil lamp originates from the historic city of Carthage, one of the most influential centers of the ancient Mediterranean world. Hand-formed from earthenware clay, the lamp features a shallow open reservoir with a distinctive folded and pinched rim designed to support a wick while holding lamp oil. This simple yet effective design represents one of the earliest and most enduring forms of artificial lighting used throughout antiquity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccompanying the lamp is a group of ancient bronze coins displaying substantial patination and age-related wear. Together, the lamp and coins create an evocative display representative of daily life, commerce, and material culture in ancient Carthage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe piece is further accompanied by an old French collector's label identifying it as originating from archaeological excavations at Carthage and dating to the Roman Empire. Whether dating to the late Punic or early Roman period, the lamp stands as a tangible connection to one of antiquity's most important centers of trade, culture, and civilization.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Ancient Roman terracotta saucer-shaped oil lamp\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Attributed to Carthage, Roman North Africa\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Distinctive hand-formed folded and pinched rim construction\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Accompanied by ancient bronze coins\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Rich archaeological surfaces and earthen patina\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Accompanied by vintage French collector's label\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Excellent display piece illustrating Roman daily life and commerce\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultural Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBefore the widespread adoption of molded enclosed lamps, saucer-shaped oil lamps provided a practical and economical source of illumination throughout the ancient Mediterranean world. Carthage was among the most powerful and prosperous cities of antiquity, first as the capital of the Punic civilization and later as a major Roman provincial center. Artifacts such as this lamp offer valuable insight into the domestic lives, technological practices, and commercial networks that shaped everyday existence across centuries of North African history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAncient condition with expected archaeological wear, surface deposits, firing imperfections, minor losses, and age-related wear throughout. Associated coins exhibit substantial patination and circulation wear consistent with age. Stable and highly displayable. Please review photographs carefully for condition details.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3527\" data-start=\"3515\" data-section-id=\"q6znlx\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3651\" data-start=\"3529\"\u003eWidth: 5 in\u003cbr data-end=\"3565\" data-start=\"3562\"\u003eDepth: 5 in\u003cbr data-end=\"3601\" data-start=\"3598\"\u003eHeight: 2.5 inches\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3658\" data-start=\"3653\" data-section-id=\"1mpikl\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3701\" data-start=\"3660\"\u003e2,000–2,500 years old\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3715\" data-start=\"3703\" data-section-id=\"1fxedb3\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3772\" data-start=\"3717\"\u003eAccompanied by an old French collector's label reading:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3870\" data-start=\"3774\"\u003e\u003cem data-end=\"3870\" data-start=\"3774\"\u003e\"Très rare plat avec monnaies, fouilles archéologiques à Carthage. Empire Romain, Ier siècle.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3981\" data-start=\"3872\"\u003e(Translated: \"Very rare dish with coins, archaeological excavations at Carthage. Roman Empire, 1st Century.\")\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4067\" data-start=\"3983\"\u003eSubsequently held in a private collection in Montreal, QC, Canada.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiscover the history and function of ancient saucer-shaped oil lamps through \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca title=\"Terracotta Saucer-Shaped Oil Lamp – The Metropolitan Museum of Art\" href=\"https:\/\/www.metmuseum.org\/art\/collection\/search\/241546\"\u003eThe Metropolitan Museum of Art\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore Our \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca title=\"Explore Roman \u0026amp; Greek Artifacts at Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\" href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/roman-greek-artifacts-ancient-relics\"\u003eCollection of Roman \u0026amp; Greek Artifacts\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54516231668034,"sku":null,"price":1000.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/ancient-carthaginian-terracotta-saucer-shaped-oil-lamp-associated-bronze-coins-carthage.png?v=1780751062","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/es\/products\/ancient-carthaginian-oil-lamp-bronze-coins-carthage","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}