3-037-025 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Lamp, 1st century B.C.-4th century A.D. Additional Info: This globular lamp in the shape of a Black African male’s head was made with a mold. Tightly packed rows of concentric stamped dots indicate curly hair, and the figure’s eyes stare widely. He has a slight, pointed nose, and his puffed-out cheeks and open mouth- which serves as the wick-hole- give the impression that he is blowing a flame. Clear traces of use are visible from the burn residue around the mouth and on the lamp’s right side.