Lead-glazed terracotta lamp in the form of a gladiator’s helmet (Thracian griffin or eagle?)
This mold-made pottery lamp reproduces quite faithfully the shape of the helmet, complete with visor front and griffin crest (or eagle, as the BM’s website states). The filling hole is at the rear.
The lamp is pierced and could have been suspended. Lamps of this type could have been souvenirs from a day watching gladiators fight in the arena.
Roman
ca. 200 CE
Found in Cologne, Germany
British Museum (1885,0418.4)
Lead-glazed terracotta lamp in the form of a gladiator’s helmet (Thracian griffin or eagle?)
This mold-made pottery lamp reproduces quite faithfully the shape of the helmet, complete with visor front and griffin crest (or eagle, as the BM’s website states). The filling hole is at the rear.
The lamp is pierced and could have been suspended. Lamps of this type could have been souvenirs from a day watching gladiators fight in the arena.
Roman
ca. 200 CE
Found in Cologne, Germany
British Museum (1885,0418.4)