KE 938 (Early Byzantine North African Lamp) [permalink] [next]
Type
Inventoried Object
Technique
Shoulder motifs and rim band show scattered uneven and raised edges of clay (with rare nodules) that were not cleaned before impression. Discus motif of bust is inverted; the details are are very blunt, some overlap with framing ring (lower right), and faint border below image is tilted down right. Surmoulage of old lamp for discus and linear cutting of shoulder?
Bonifay lampe type 71 (‟copie de type Atlante X en céramique commune”): late recreation of central Tunisian format cf. Atlante Type XA, Group C3=Bonifay lampe type C5 (central Tunisian) (Bonifay2004, pp. 382 and 417)
Circular discus with central figural relief, one filling hole center left and one center right, and narrow rounded framing ring. Relief of female bust left with wavy hair pulled back around head and down into chignon, traces of pearl necklace under chin, and dress hanging in folds across chest; traces of headdress on crown. Type of Tyche with turreted crown (inverted).
Fabric, firing, surface
Pale reddish brown fabric, faint firing clouding across surface. Hard, slightly gritty, slightly granular break with sandy texture. Rare, poorly sorted, tiny lime specks, dissipating red particles, and very rare dark gray bits. No slip. Northern Tunisian?
Preservation description
One large sherd preserves ca. 75% of lamp but missing back including entire handle. Slight, sparse abrasion and pitting; clean breaks.
