Greek Delphiniform Greyware Oil Lamp

Carved in the round figure of the goddess standing nude with one hand raised and the other on her pudendum, her hair gathered into a chignon with lateral bunches on the crown and with voids to allow for the suspension of small gold earrings; putto at her left knee; left hand partly absent; remounted on a socle base. 1.2 kg, 32.7 cm



Acquired in the 1992. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12860-241669.

Slipper-shaped in plan and biconvex in section with radiating hatching to the shoulder, long nozzle with scooped end; impressed motif (maker's mark) to centre of the underside. 36 grams, 82 mm



From the Lloyd and Jeanne Raport collection, Washington, D.C. and Florida, USA, formed between 1972-2000. Acquired through Bonhams, London, UK.

With trefoil mouth and integral ribbed handle, covered in a red slip with burnished surface; held in an antique wooden box crate. 1.72 kg, 28 cm



Collected by Miss Patience Townend, in the late 1950s. Thence by descent to the owner’s godmother. By gift to Mrs Lucy Manningham-Buller, circa 2002. Private collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of a letter from Rupert Chapman, Curator of Levantine Antiquities, in the Middle Eastern Department at the British Museum, dated 4th March 2013, discussing the piece: ‘…there is no doubt in our minds that the piece is genuine, and that it dates to the eighth century B.C....the piece you have is a very fine one… any museum would be very happy to have such a fine example in its collection’. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13090-248974.

This object exemplifies the high-quality tableware produced during its historical period, intended for use in the wealthiest homes.