Museum complex

Lamp with relief images of Silenus and Satyr masks

II–I Centuries BC
Sarmatian Culture
Bronze; casting
Length: 16,3 cm; height: 4,5 cm
Receipt: from the Rumyantsev Museum collection
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The bronze lamp has a spherical, somewhat flattened body on a low ring stand, with a long spout. The handle of the lamp is tied at the top with a "Herculean knot", the knotted rods of the handle split in different directions. Ends of rods are designed like pointed leaves and attached to the lamp body. Beyond the knot, the handle is covered with a small trefoil. Near the holes for pouring oil is a pair of lugs for fixing of the lid. On each side of the body is placed a relief mask of Silenus and Satyr. The complex where the lamp was found belongs to the so called "memorial treasures": memorial and sacrificial artifacts containing a definitely defined set of equipment for the warrior.

More information...

This particular "treasure" besides the lamp included metal parts of the horse's harness: silver headrest, phalera, plaques, iron bits and bit guards.
Functional purpose: it was used as a household item, filled with oil and supplied with a wick, like kerosene lamps of the XIX-XX Centuries. It could be part of a warrior's memorial kit.
Notice of uniqueness: there are lots of analogues among the finds of Hellenistic time.

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