Antique lights
Oil lamps at the Roman Museum in Nyon
This book on the Museum’s collection of oil lamps serves a dual purpose: on the one hand, it is the fruit of an uncompromisingly rigorous and exhaustive scientific study of all the oil lamps, whole or fragmentary, in the museum. Notes, references and a comprehensive catalog and illustrations should satisfy researchers. On the other hand, it is designed to appeal to the interested but not specialized reader: these objects, very typical of Roman culture, are in fact close to the everyday life of the Ancients and, thanks to the numerous decorations that adorn them, lead us to discover the culture, tastes and passions of their creators and users. In addition to information specific to each piece, readers will find details of its iconography, manufacture and use.
The museum’s sixty-three oil lamps, in terracotta (59) and bronze (4), have been the subject of an exhaustive study. The publication begins with an introductory chapter on lamps in general, their manufacture, use and role in everyday Roman life.
