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Reference: FY4 / Cat. No.
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Period:
Roman
Date:
100 – 300 AD
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Description:
Base marked FORTIS
Fortis
Manufacture:
Mould made.
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Notes:
Cf. Szentléleky, 124. This maker has been extensively recorded and studied (e.g. Harris 1980; Schneider 1993).
Pub: D. Knell, 'Ancient Pottery Lamps', Antique Collecting, June 2004.
Probably a pirated copy rather than an 'official' Fortis product.
Comments:
The firm of Lucius Aemilius Fortis (full name based on an inscribed tile found near Modena) was extremely prolific and Firmalampen marked FORTIS make up a large proportion of those found throughout Europe.
However, although it is possible that branch workshops were established in a few provinces in addition to the centre in northern Italy, many of the lamps bearing his name are likely to have been unauthorised copies, some by mere surmoulage and some by intention. The curse of counterfeit branding is by no means only a modern phenomenon.
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