1875

Roman Oil Lamp

Pompeii, first half of 1st century AD

This bronze artefact comes from the Roman city of Pompeii destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. The image depicted on it is of the mythological figure of Narcissus.

The rediscovery of Pompeii in the 18th century triggered a veritable onslaught on the ancient ruins. After an initial phase of chaotic excavations, the city was systematically explored in the course of the 19th century. Wanting to present «world history», the Raetian Museum, too, included artefacts from Pompeii as well as other antiquities from the Mediterranean area in its collection.