Collection Item

From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitleLamp

About this objectA fierce lion was perceived to embody the qualities held by the potnia theron (Mistress of Beasts) Artemis, and as such lions could be found in her sanctuaries. This lamp decorated with lion heads is one such artefact found in her sanctuary at Brauron. The lamp has an open oil-chamber for multiple floating wick that would have threaded through the three bridged rests.

Brauron is one of twelve ancient cities of Attica that were unified with Athens during the time of Theseus and the creation of the polis (city state). In the historical period, Brauron was best known as the site of the sanctuary of Artemis, with votive offerings dating as far back as the 9th century BC. Early cults at the site were drawn to a sacred spring and cave that was thought to be the tomb or heroon of Iphigeneia. The first stone temple to Artemis was built around the 6th century BC. However, most of the buildings that remain at the site today date from the 5th century. The remains include a stone bridge and an elaborate stoa with dining rooms.

MakerMinistry of Culture Archaeological Receipts Fund

Maker RoleCasting and Copying Workshop

Date Madeca. 1988-1989 AD

PeriodArchaic

Place MadeGreece; Athens

Place NotesOriginal manufactured in Attica

Medium and MaterialsPlaster

Style and IconographyAttic

TechniqueCasting (process)

MeasurementsHeight 170 mm
Weight 620 gm

Named CollectionThe James Logie Memorial Collection, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Credit LinePurchased, 1979.

Object TypeLamp

Object numberCC6

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved