Terracotta lamp with the head of a man

This mold-made terracotta lamp has been carved in the shape of a Sub Saharan African man. It is open upon the top of the head and mouth. This lamp is one of twenty-five lamps of various designs, which dates from the Ptolemaic Period, c. 332-364 A.D.

The Ancient Egyptians enjoyed almost caricature style belittling depictions of their traditional enemies from all corners of the then known world. The royals would often use images of their enemies in everyday objects, such as door handles or even as the handles of walking sticks.