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Small oil lamp Leda and the Swan

15,00 €

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Finish Original

Quantity

We're out of stock, but we make to order!

Terra cotta reproduction of a Small oil lamp Leda and the swan
Mediterranean Antiques, Roman

Handcrafted in Brittany, France
Hand-decorated

Dimensions : H 2.5 x W 7 x D 10 cm

Poids : 0.125 kg

SKU:Rom 004 004a

Material: Terracotta

Used for thousands of years, terracotta can be used to create pieces as close as possible to the originals.

Unlike plaster or resin, terracotta is heavier, more fragile and more difficult to work with, but the finesse of the material, the feel and the finishing possibilities all combine to create exceptional pieces with a soul.

Decors and finishes

All pieces are hand-decorated by our skilled craftsmen.

We use two methods for decoration and finishing, which vary from piece to piece:

- Engobe decoration: this is one of the oldest techniques used to decorate ceramics. It consists of clay to which color pigments are added. The possibilities are endless. It enables fine, precise decoration, but does not protect or solidify the ceramic.

Glaze decoration: Difficult to work with, glaze is used to add a transparent or colored layer of glass to ceramics. This mineral-based layer waterproofs the pieces and makes them more resistant. Colored enamels give vivid colors and incomparable brilliance.

Handcrafted Bretagne, France

All our pieces are made in our workshop in Brittany, France, by a team of skilled craftsmen.

For almost 20 years, men and women with golden hands have been perpetuating the ceramic know-how of this family business.

Manufacturing on demand

Don't have enough stock of the part you want?

No problem! We make pieces directly to order.

Please note that there is a manufacturing lead time, which varies from piece to piece.

If you would like to order a large quantity, please contact us by telephone or email.

Cleaning and care

The pieces can be easily dusted with a soft cloth or feather duster, for example.

Note that pieces decorated with engobe are waxed and patinated to give them a more or less shiny historical appearance.

Secure and eco-responsible packaging

All the parts are packed with the utmost care, and sometimes double-packed to ensure they are transported without breakage.

We mainly use recyclable cardboard for our packaging. Depending on the item, bubble wrap may be used for extra protection.

Delivery and Returns

Delivery in France and abroad with ‘breakage’ guarantee against signature only.

Returns within 14 days.

Consult the frequently asked questions for more information, instructions and return conditions.

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Date and origin

Between 2nd part of 1st century A.D.
Roman

Original conservation site

Unknown

A brief history of the Leda and the Swan small oil lamp

The first oil lamps appeared in Mesopotamia in the form of a simple bowl made of unbaked clay. Over time, they took on different forms, benefiting from advances in pottery. The best known and most widespread throughout the Mediterranean world are those made by the Romans.
The story: Leda, daughter of Thestios (King of Aetolia), was the wife of Tyndare (King of Sparta) and mother of Clytemnestra, Helen and Castor and Pollux. She was loved by Zeus, who took the form of a swan to seduce her. From her love affair with the god, she conceived two children (Helen and Pollux), who were born in one egg, while Clytemnestra and Castor, son of Tyndare, were born in another.
Oil lamps were an indispensable accessory for everyday life in antiquity. They were used not only for lighting in the evening, but also during the day in the dark homes of the simple Romans. They were also a luxury: the oil used was very expensive, making it unaffordable for even the most modest of people. In his “Satire”, Plutarch evokes the inequality of “light” and calls for oil to be “tax-free” for the poorest, as it is a vital necessity, like food. From the reign of Augustus onwards, lamps became more and more ornate, the simplest with a single wick for the plebs, and the most ornate with two or three spouts and wicks, resulting in several flames, for the wealthy senators!

Unique know-how and excellence

Memento Temporï workshop

Model creation
Whether it's from photos or a printed 3D scan, it all starts with sculpting the model that will be used to make the mould.
Mould making
Plaster moulds are made from the sculpture. Depending on the piece, the mould is more or less complex: 2 or more parts.
Casting and cleaning
Clay is poured into the mould. When the thickness is ideal, the excess is emptied. The piece can then be removed from the mould and cleaned.
Firing the piece(s)
When the piece is dry, it is fired a first time. The result is a ceramic bisque ready for decoration.
Decorations
The decorations are created using engobe (pigmented clay) or glaze (a transparent or coloured layer of glass), as close as possible to the originals.
Finishes
Depending on the piece, it is returned to the kiln before the finishes touches: base, wax, patina, etc. to give it a unique historical look. The piece is finished and packaged.