Greek and Byzantine Ceramic Oil Lamp Collection

Squat vessel with rounded foot and carination with band of tendrils, flared sidewall with carination and rim, broad watchglass lid with central knop handle; blackware frieze to the sidewall, chariot with four horses and attendants carrying spears and dressed in chitons and himatia, among them a noblewoman dressed in a long chiton and chlamys; lid with frieze of profile figures seated on folding chairs with attendants and petitioners, and two women in long robes within a band of coiled tendrils; repaired and restored. 1.05 kg, 22.5 cm wide



Private collection, Mrs Lambelet, Neuchâtel, Switzerland, acquired before 1972; thence by descent. Private collection N.S., acquired in 2012. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13223-249242.

Many Athenian vases depict a quadriga, often in racing or military scenes, but in this case, the depicted scene is peaceful and could be linked to a wedding. The painting can be divided into two scenes: the first, on the sides, is the bridal procession, where the bride is conducted on the chariot which will bring her to the groom, accompanied by her father and relatives; the second, the lid painting, where the nuptial feast is prepared, and the conversing guests are waiting for the bride.

Including terracotta statue heads, amphora handle with old inked inscription on label to verso, which reads: 'AMPHORA HANDLE / PICKED UP ON SEA / BED OFF EAST SIDE / PARAMALI POINT, CYPRUS / 31 AUGUST 1968.' and other items. 739 grams total, 5.1-13 cm



From a late Hampshire gentleman's collection, formed from the 1960s.

One of the terracotta heads belongs to a votive statue, which by its shape seems to belong to Demeter or to the priestess of the Mother Goddess venerated in the Sanctuary of Arsos (Cyprus). The other one, also votive, showing a high headgear, represents most probably a Phoenician divinity, or a Levantine head of a priest.

With a folded trefoil mouth, an applied ribbed handle and basal ring, and incised concentric rings above the equator. 491 grams, 17 cm



Private collection, acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s; thence by descent.

Throughout the 7th century BC, the Phoenician ports received goods from the East, from Cyprus, Eastern Greece, Pithecussa, and even Etruria, likely in exchange for grain, oil, and wine. Among the various archaeological finds unearthed in these ports are Attic, Corinthian, and Rhodian pottery, some of which was manufactured by the Greek colonies of the West, such as Ischia-Pithecussa.