LOT 1065

Byzantine Holy Land Terracotta Oil Lamp

SYRO-PALESTINIAN, 7TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.

2 7/8 in. (82 grams, 74 mm).

Discoid in plan and biconvex in section with spike handle, rosette to the lower sidewall and concentric quatrefoil panels to the base; shoulder with Greek inscription invoking the blessing of Mary Theotokos.

From the collection of Dame Joan Evans (1893-1977), thence gifted during her lifetime to a gentleman collector friend from South East England.

Cf. Bagatti (1964- 2), pp. 266-268, No.12; Qedem, Monographs of the Institute of Archaeology by Rosenthal & Sivan 1978, No.581. Ancient Lamps from the Mediterranean by Srdjan Djuric 1995, No.C248. D. 3.

Dame Joan Evans, DBE, FSA, FRHistS, enjoyed a long and distinguished career as an author and historian. She was appointed the president of the Society of Antiquaries in 1959, the first woman to hold this position, serving until 1964. From 1948 to 1951, Joan Evans served as President of the Royal Archaeological Institute. She received the Society’s gold medal in 1973. Joan Evans was honoured with a host of honorary degrees and fellowships, as well as fellowships of the Royal Historical Society and the Royal Society of Literature. She was a Chevalier of the Légion d’Honneur, and was appointed a Dame of the British Empire in 1976. She served as a trustee of both the London and the British museums, and as a member of the advisory council of the Victoria and Albert Museum.