Roman lamp in the shape of a Black African male's head, 1st century BCE - 4th century CE,

 "This globular lamp in the shape of a Black African male’s head was made with a mold. Tightly packed rows of concentric stamped dots indicate curly hair, and the figure’s eyes stare widely. He has a slight, pointed nose, and his puffed-out cheeks and open mouth - which serves as the wick-hole - give the impression that he is blowing a flame. Clear traces of use are visible from the burn residue around the mouth and on the lamp’s right side. The filling-hole is located on the forehead, surrounded by a raised circular collar that connects to a loop. This ring indicates that the lamp could be suspended, or stand flat on its raised base-ring."

"Lamps made possible a range of activities after dark, including reading, working, and socializing, and also played a key part in religious practices and burial rites. They were produced in large quantities through the use of molds, and the flat upper surface provided a convenient field for decoration. Common subjects include geometric patterns, animals, divinities, and scenes from daily life. The depiction of a Black African’s face finds a number of parallels and typifies the commodification of their bodies in Roman visual media. In this context, there may also be a play of word and image. Black Africans were known to the ancient Greeks and Romans as Aethiopians, from the Greek for “burnt-faced.” Depicted upon the surface of a lamp, this Aethiopian’s face would – literally - be darkened by fire." - J. Paul Getty Museum


Image: Roman lamp in the shape of a Black African male's head, 1st century BCE - 4th century CE, Asia Minor, now in the collections of the J. Paul Getty Museum.

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