Description
| ITEM | Factory oil lamp with crescent moon, Type Bussière D II 1 |
| MATERIAL | Terracotta |
| CULTURE | Roman |
| PERIOD | 1st – 3rd Century A.D |
| DIMENSIONS | 43 mm x 75 mm x 105 mm |
| CONDITION | Good condition |
| PROVENANCE | Ex Emeritus collection (USA), collected from the 1950’s to the 1980’s by a distinguished university professor who served as Department head, Dean and Vice President of a major university. |
| PARALLEL | DENEAUVE, J., Lampes de Carthage, Plate LXX, Fig. 741 (Similar) |
In Greek mythology, the crescent moon is said to represent Selene, the feminine moon goddess and symbolises female empowerment, The moon also represents fertility and regeneration. Women wishing to conceive would pray to the moon goddess Selene to help them bring new life into the world.In Roman mythology the slender curves of the crescent shape was interpreted to symbolise the bow used by Diana, goddess of the hunt. Diana is also associated with chastity and purity, virtues which were praised and held dear. In Chinese philosophy the moon is the yin to the sun’s yang, showing how the female moon and the male sun can perfectly balance each other despite being opposites.
