North Africa, Ca. 400-500 AD. A terracotta oil lamp of a round body with a spout on one end and a lug on the other. The body of the lamp is decorated with a recessed tondo in the center, and it features a palm tree, which is a symbol of victory, peace, and abundance in the Roman world. The palm is depicted with a slender trunk and a crown of fronds that spread out in all directions. The fronds are finely detailed and create a sense of movement and energy. The tree is surrounded by a raised border of relief decoration. The lug to the back of the lamp would have been used to hold the lamp while it was being used. The spout was used to pour oil into the lamp, while the two holes in the tondo would have allowed air to enter the lamp and help to regulate the flame. The lamp would have been filled with oil and then a wick made of linen or cotton would have been inserted into the spout. The wick would have been lit and the lamp would have provided light for the household. Oil lamps were an essential part of daily life in the Roman world. They were used for lighting homes, temples, and public spaces and were also used in funerary rituals. Oil lamps were typically made of clay, bronze, or glass and were fueled by olive oil.Size: L:130mm / W:80mm ; 125gProvenance: Private UK collection; From an old London collection formed in the 1990s.