A Roman Clay Factory Oil Lamp with Inscription, Roman Imperial Period, ca. 150 CE

Classified as Loeschke Type X, with a round discus body, sharp carination, a small central filling hole, elongated nozzle, and rib accentuating the shape.

This lamp, like a parallel example in the British Museum, has the name "VIBIAN" on the base. "Vibianus was one of the later north Italian makers of firmalampen, whose workshops flourished from the middle years of the second century to its end, from some time in the reign of Antonius Pius until the Severan period.  Examples of his work have been found in contexts of the first half of the third century at Lauriacum (Deringer, pp. 23-7). Provincial lamps with his name are known etc" (p. 102, Bailey).

For parallel examples, see: D.M. Bailey, A Catalogue of the Lamps in the British Museum, Vol. 2, Roman Lamps Made in Italy, 1980, pp. 285-286, pl. 58, nos. Q1175 and Q1178.

J.W. Hayes, Ancient Lamps in the Royal Ontario Museum, Vol. 1, pp 59, nos. 259, 262, 264, 265, pl. 29-30

Dimensions: Length: 3 1/2 inches (9 cm), Width: 2 1/2 inches (6.4 cm)

Condition: Intact and in good condition overall.

Provenance: Private Maryland collection, acquired in the early 1990's.