Website powered by

Roman Chandelier

The lucerne or ancient Roman oil-lamps were small utensils, made of bronze or terracotta, used since prehistoric times, although it was the ancient Romans who exploited their mass production and their widespread use to have artificial light. They were fueled with olive oil and had from one to a dozen wicks. Some had handles, so they could be carried from room to room, and could also be carried by actors in plays or by participants in ritual activities. Those made of bronze had greater durability. For lighting large rooms, several oil lamps were used hanging from each arm of a standing bronze chandelier.

References:
Romano Impero. L’illuminazione dei romani.
https://www.romanoimpero.com/2014/12/lilluminazione-dei-romani.html
Candélabre porte-lampes Ier siècle après J.-C. (avant 79) Provenance : Herculanum
https://art.rmngp.fr/fr/library/artworks/candelabre-porte-lampes_bronze
Candelabro in bronzo - I sec. d.C. Roma Museo della Civiltà Romana
http://www.museociviltaromana.it/it/collezioni/tutte_le_opere
Atenea Niké. Lucernas: iluminación romana
https://www.ateneanike.com/historia-de-roma/tecnologia-romana/lucerna/