Lot #156: Functional Roman-Style Dual-Wick Clay Oil Lanterns – Matching Pair

This remarkable pair of Roman-style clay oil lanterns features a dual-wick design, a distinctive and highly practical advancement used in antiquity to produce significantly brighter illumination. With two spouts fed from a single oil reservoir, these lanterns allowed the user to burn both wicks simultaneously for a stronger, more powerful light, or a single wick when a softer glow was preferred. Crafted from fired clay in keeping with historical Roman construction, each lantern remains fully functional today. When lit, they offer a warm, authentic flame that evokes ancient interiors while providing flexible light output — from ambient to noticeably bright — depending on how they are used. This dual-wick capability made such lanterns especially valued in workspaces, gatherings, or areas requiring enhanced visibility. Equally compelling as display pieces, their balanced form, molded detailing, and aged earthen finish make them ideal for collectors, historians, reenactors, or designers seeking genuine Old World atmosphere with real usability. A rare and historically meaningful pair that combines Roman ingenuity, functional craftsmanship, and striking visual presence — offering both authenticity and control over light intensity. Dimensions: 4”W/3”D/8”H Pickup category timeslot {A}