Three-wick oil lamp

Parian marble
7th century B.C.   

This oil lamp is a majestic example of a three-wick lamp with a flat tank extending into three shallow sectors shaped like female busts (whose rounded forms increased capacity), each featuring a beak to hold a wick, alternating with lateral holes (decorated in analogous relief) for the suspension system (which has remained intact). From the perspective of the 7th century B.C., at the end of the Daedelian period of Greek sculpture (in honour of the mythical trickster Daedalus) came the appearance of the first marble oil lamps used in votive ceremonies.

The abundance and quality of Parian marble oil lamps, which were luxury items, and countless imitations in a variety of other materials spanning a long period, show just how successful their production became. The Torgiano lamp’s provenance would seem to have been a sanctuary or place of worship, probably located in Magna Grecia, for which Selinunte in Sicily seems a likely candidate.