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  Magna Graecia: Greek Art From South Italy and Sicily > About the Exhibition > Paestum > Caryatid Lamp (about 580-570 BC)
 
 
Caryatid Lamp
(about 580-570 BC)
Paestum, Heraion of Foce del Sele
Terracotta, wheel-and mold-made, painted
Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Paestum, inv. 48496
[Cat. no. 1]

Caryatid Lamp (about 580-570 BC)

Found in the vicinity of the temple of Hera near the Sele River, this oil lamp is of an unusual design, having four female figures, hands raised to their breasts, used as supports (caryatids). Some scholars suggest that the lamp may have functioned as a censer to burn incense in religious ceremonies. Perhaps the female figures represent participants in these rituals.

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