Description
| ITEM | Oil lamp with a large cuttlefish (squid or octopus), Loeschcke Type 4. Mold-made |
| MATERIAL | Terracotta |
| CULTURE | Roman |
| PERIOD | 1st Century A.D |
| DIMENSIONS | 40 mm x 68 mm x 107 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 | THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART, Accession Number: 74.51.2063 |
The octopus was known in the ancient Mediterranean for its intelligence, craftiness, and strong tentacles. Romans told stories of octopuses stealing from humans by taking fresh fish from pools and breaking terracotta pots to reach pickled fish inside. The owl stood for wisdom.
