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HOME :
Biblical Antiquities :
Roman Period Oil Lamps : Roman Oil Lamp in the Form of an Ithyphallic Man
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Roman Oil Lamp in the Form of an Ithyphallic Man - CK.0036
Origin: Eastern Mediterranean
Circa: 1
st
Century AD
to 3
rd
Century AD
Dimensions:
3" (7.6cm) high
x 4.5" (11.4cm) wide
Collection: Biblical
Style: Roman Period
Medium: Terracotta
$2,500.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
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The rediscovery and subsequent excavations of
Pompeii and Herculaneum in the 18th century
provided many fascinating insights into daily life
during the height of the Roman Empire,
including the near ubiquity of erotic or sexually
themed art and imagery in frescos, inscriptions,
and household goods found throughout the
cities. While our modern mores may lump all of
this imagery together under the banner of
pornography, to the Ancient Romans some of
this work may have served a fertility function,
while other was clearly meant to be for pure
erotic pleasure. Among the most famous imagery
are the frescos found decorating the walls of a
brothels, perhaps representing a selection of
services offered at the establishment, perhaps
merely setting the mood. Beyond the scope of
these two cities, the canon of Roman art is filled
with eroticism, from marble sculptures to small
bronze amulets. Among the most prevalent are
examples are terracotta oil lamps decorated with
molded scenes of copulating couples in a variety
of positions and practices.
This terracotta oil lamp depicts a young man
bent over. His legs and knees are pressed
together and he reaches back with his arms,
grasping his buttocks and spreading them apart.
From underneath his torso emerges his grossly
exaggerated erect phallus, which projects
forward past his shoulders and serves as the
spout for the lamp. There is a small loop in the
center of his back, between his buttocks and
head, indicating the lamp originally would have
hung from the ceiling. Although such an image
may seem lewd and improper today, it clearly
demonstrates the openness of Ancient Roman
sexual mores.
- (CK.0036)
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