Lucerne, late Roman-Christian Lucerne; 5th century A.D.

Late Roman Lucerne Paleo-Christian; 5th century A.D.
Terracotta.
It shows transversal restoration and wear.
Measurements: 4 x 15 x 9 cm.
Terracotta lucerne decorated on the rim with a relief depicting a horse. The word lucerna comes from the Greek "lukno". Its basic function was to give light, but it was also used as a votive and funerary element. The first skylights were made by hand, then by lathe, and from the 3rd century B.C. by mold. The mold consisted of two dies, one for the upper part and one for the lower part. The mold manufacturing technique consisted of pressing the clay into the dies and then joining the two parts together. Finally, the handle was added.