NORTH AFRICAN TERRA CHIARA FISH OILLAMP

Large fish decorated in dotted relief on discus, band of alternating XP (first Greek letters of Christ) roundels around.

Ex priv. coll. J.G., Neth., acq. from Antiken-Kabinet, Frankfurt 2004
L. 15 cm. Intact

4th- 5th cent. AD

Note: the Fish (Greek ‘Ichthus’) was a secret symbol in the early period of Christianity due to the persecutions of the Romans
Cf. J.J. Hermann/A. vd Hoek, Light from the Age of Augustine, Harvard Divinity School 2002, no. 102