Roman 'Aristocleus' Terracotta Oil Lamp

Ellipsoid inlay with incuse profile bust of an elderly man with thinning curly hair, wrinkled brow and hollow cheeks; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.91 grams, 17 mm



Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.

The piece has been restored after having been split into two parts, retaining a chip on the edge.

Of piriform shape with everted rim, gently chamfered upper lip and concave underside; lid with bevelled rim, gently dished upper face rising to a central dome and cylindrical handle with piecrust pleats; iridescent surfaces. 823 grams total, 29.5 cm high



Ex Sangiorgi collection, acquired in the 19th century. with Christie's, 3 June 1999, no.121. The remains of a 19th-early 20th-century label can be seen on the glass on one side. with Christie's, New York, 9 December 1999, no.476. American private collection, Westchester, New York, acquired in 1999. with Bonhams, London, 30 September 2015, no.91. Private collection, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13132-248966.

A similar jar in the British Museum was found in Warwick Square, London, inside a lead canister, and was originally filled with bone ashes. The Romans often reused glass jars, originally made for storing liquids and foodstuffs, as cremation vessels, but this kind of jar seems too fragile and was therefore probably purpose-made. The lead canister, which was found with the jar from London, protected the glass and bones. Georgio Sangiorgi is one of the most famous names associated with the field of ancient glass collecting. Working from the Galleria Sangiorgi in the Palazzo Borghese, Sangiorgi acquired the most magnificent collection of ancient glass, seeking only the finest examples.

Composed of oblate, annular, and other beads, restrung to a Y-shape. 9.24 grams, 33.4 cm



From London, UK, gallery collection, 1990s.