Roman oil lamp with Mercury in the centre

Roman oil lamp with Mercury in the centre

Bronze
Italy, circa 1820
H: 106 cm, D: 30 cm

This lamp is a copy of an original found in Pompeii. In the centre of the lamp is Mercury, the god of commerce, thieves and travellers. In many depictions, he is portrayed as a young man with the caduceus and wings on his feet, symbolising his swift mobility. As a symbol and protector of travellers, Mercury was a highly sought-after souvenir in the 18th and 19th centuries.