Roman Bronze Hanging Incense Burner

Substantial hollow-formed drum-shaped body with waisted nozzle, lateral integral lion-mask, stepped discus with leaf detailing, pelta-shaped reflector plate to rear with lateral wreath detailing and palmette motif; three-bar caged handle beneath. 1 kg, 23.3 cm



Acquired on the German art market in 1987. Ex Gorny and Mosch, 18 December 2013, no.502. 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.12346-225410.

This lamp belongs to the typology of ‘rounded bodies and volute spines’, typical of 1st or early 2nd century A.D. These lamps had fairly shallow and round-walled oil-chambers with long flat-topped nozzles with splayed tips (here very shallow). The majority of these lamps are of Italic manufacture, and similar have been found in Pompeii (see lamp in Ashmolean Museum ANFORTNUM B.186).

Bust and torso of Silenus in dramatic pose with right hand raised, wreath of leaves to the hair and garland of grapes and vine leaves to the chest; lower body developing to a scrolled foliage mount with lateral rosettes; mounted on a custom-made stand. 319 grams total, 13.5 cm including stand



with Bonhams, Knightsbridge, 8 April 1997, no.102. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

The figure represents either Silenus himself, the aged and semi-bestial companion of Dionysus, or a satyr - a member of the feral group of which he was the leader. As a devotee of Dionysus, Silenus is often shown with Bacchantes, female celebrants in the cult of wine-drinking, music and other pleasurable pursuits.

Amber glass flask with bulbous body, dimple base, tapering neck, flared mouth folded into a pouring lip, applied handle to the rear. 57 grams, 11.5 cm



From a London, UK, collection, 1990s.