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A Unique Roman Upper Lamp Mold from Brigetio

Publication at Faculty of Arts |
2014

Abstract

A unique ceramic upper lamp mold for a special variation of Loeschcke type XK lamps currently in the Archaeological Museum in Bratislava is presented. The artifact lacks a firm provenience, but from records and analogies it may confidently be attributed to Brigetio, a Roman legionary fortress near the confluence of the Danube and Váh Rivers.

X-shaped marks on the sides of the mold acted as registration marks to attach the two halves. The motif on the resulting lamp is in the manner of Bildlampen and consists of two pine needle branches and three schematic pine cones.

The lamp mold may certainly be dated after AD 118/119 and probably before the end of the 3rd century AD. It represents the unique workmanship of a creative craftsman who effectively fused the characteristics of two lamp types to make his product.