3-037-022 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Lamp, 1st century B.C.-4th century A.D. Additional Info: The heart-shaped, smiling face of a Black African on this mold-made lamp fixes its gaze at the viewer. The figure’s eyes are deeply indented, giving the face depth and intensity of expression, and the eyebrows are turned down and inward. The nose has a small bridge, but flares out with wide nostrils, while the protruding ears mark the lamp’s broadest extent. At the top of the head, six rows of stamped dots indicate curly hair.