Zodiac oil lamp - zodiac sign Pisces
The so-called picture lamps, like this replica, were in fashion in the Roman provinces until about 70 AD. They were usually produced by two-part molds or models. This production method made it possible to manufacture very large quantities. The fuel used was usually fat, tallow, oil or oil (olive oil or other vegetable oil). This model can also be operated with vegetable oil or lamp oil like its original models.
Brief outline of the oil lamp in Roman times
Oil lamps were the most common means of lighting in Roman antiquity. The candle, on the other hand, did not come into vogue until the 1st century AD and in its early days was primarily for sacred use among the Romans. Roman oil lamps were not only inexpensive, but also easy to handle. In addition, they had an acceptable burning time and gave a quite pleasant light. On the basis of today's finding situations, it can be assumed that most of the specimens were made of clay.
Much rarer are lamps made of bronze or brass, which were often elaborately decorated. However, unlike the clay exhibits, these lamps were also very expensive, so that only well-off Roman citizens could afford them. Furthermore, the metals used in antiquity, such as bronze, were quite precious. For this reason, damaged metal utensils were usually melted down again and thus made suitable for reuse. This also explains the small number of metal oil lamps found so far.
- Figure two fish
- Dimensions: length about 10.5 cm x width 7.5 cm
- Above: two depressions, which run circularly
- to the right of the fishes an inscription : Piscum ( fish )
- below the oil lamp has a larger hole for the wick and a smaller hole for filling the oil
- the Roman oil lamp can be held or carried with two fingers ( thumb and index finger)
The mythological meaning of the zodiac sign ""Fish""
One of the most popular image motifs of the picture lamps were zodiac signs. This replica shows the image of the zodiac sign of Pisces. The fact that they are seen here in pairs and connected by a string has a certain mythological meaning. It has its origin in the Greek-Roman mythology. Namely, it is about the goddess Aphrodite and her son Cupid, who fled from the ugly Typhon, when he stalked Aphrodite. In order not to be found by him, both hid as fishes transformed in the sea. In order not to get lost in the dark shallows, they connected their tail fins with a thread. The gods later transferred them to heaven in this way and connected them by ribbons. The Romans saw in this the symbolic embodiment of mother love.
The classic oil lamp fuel ""olive oil""
The 10.5 cm x 7.5 cm replica, made of ceramic, should, like its ancient models, be operated primarily with olive oil. On the one hand, it is considerably cheaper than the otherwise used lamp oil, on the other hand, it is much more productive and it burns with a much cooler flame. The latter is a significant advantage for the longer shelf life of the Roman oil lamp. Also, olive oil is completely harmless to health and does not represent an additional source of danger. So that you have longer pleasure in their ""antique"" source of illumination, there are two additional wicks for each oil lamp.
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