Lucerne; Rome, 2nd-3rd century AD.

Lucerne; Rome, 2nd-3rd century AD.
Terracotta.
Measurements: 3,5 x 11 cm.
This type of lucerna, decorated with the figure of a dog in relief on the bowl, is an interesting example of how lighting objects in classical antiquity could go beyond their function.The term "lucerna" comes from the Greek lychnos, and designates these small lamps originally used as a source of illumination. Over time, their production and use spread throughout the Greco-Roman sphere, acquiring a remarkable formal and decorative diversity.
Their technical evolution reflects the development of ancient ceramics: the first lanterns were made by hand, later on a potter's wheel, and from the 3rd century BC they began to be produced by means of molds. This procedure consisted of the use of two dies, one for the upper and one for the lower part, in which the clay was pressed before joining both parts, which allowed a more precise, homogeneous and richer ornamental manufacture.In the Greco-Roman world, the dog could be associated both with fidelity and protection and with funerary and religious environments, sometimes being linked to divinities or with the idea of guidance and vigilance. In this way, the lucerne transcends its utilitarian character.