Roman ceramic lamp with floral motif. Handling file info: DESCRIPTION The lamp is decorated with a floral design. WHAT WAS THE OBJECT USED FOR The lamp would have been filled with olive oil (used both for cooking and lighting) through the small central hole while a wick (made of hemp or the like) would have been inserted in the nozzle soaking up the oil. WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THIS OBJECT Clay lamps were very much part of Roman civilisation. The native way of lighting would have remained as candles or torches. Only the more wealthy could have afforded the oil for lamps. Most lamps were, therefore, imported into Britain. Many decorative ones came from Italy, but later smaller lamps were made in factories in France. Some lamps have the maker’s mark on the base.