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LOT 0119
Roman Bronze Oil Lamp with Masks
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
6 1/8 in. (560 grams, 15.5 cm).
With an elongated body, long nozzle with a rounded tip; raised rim to filling hole with hinged lid bearing a mask with sockets to the eyes for silver inserts; handle curved and terminating in a female mask with hair dressed in tiers, eyes recessed to be inlaid with silver; broad nozzle with cup and raised rim; socket to underside for mounting on a stand.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.
PublishedExhibited at the Harwich Museum, Harwich, Essex, UK, 8th June 2026-14th September 2026; accompanied by a copy of a photograph of the artefacts on display.
LiteratureCf. Rolland, H., Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, no.357.
FootnotesThe lamp is crafted in a very fine style, probably in a classical form from the 1st or 2nd century. It belongs to a type known and widespread in the Mediterranean, with parallels in Paris, Madrid, the museums of Cadiz, Tarragona, and Aquileia.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0119
Roman Bronze Oil Lamp with Masks
Estimate £1,000 - 1,400€1,160 - 1,620 (for guidance only)$1,350 - 1,890 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£500 (EUR 580; USD 675) +BP*
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Roman Marbled Blue Glass Toilet Bottle
1st-2nd century A.D.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £500
An iridescent unguentarium with piriform body, tubular neck with everted rolled rim. 19.7 grams, 83 mm
Acquired on the European art market in 2001.
This typology was produced mainly in Egypt (Karanis class XIII.B). They were characteristic of the Eastern Mediterranean as well, and characterised by the irregular curved depression on the underside of the base and by the narrow cylindrical neck with slight constriction at the bottom. -
Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp with Female Bust
4th century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Low-relief wreath motif decorating the shoulder arranged like a palm tree, a female bust facing right on the discus and a lug handle to the rear. 110 grams, 11.3 cm
From the private coin collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the mid 1980s. -
Roman Fresco Wall Plaster Collection
1st century A.D.Estimate: £50 - 70 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Fragments of wall plaster with rendered surface painted with mainly Pompeii red, pale blue, brown and cream detailing; some with an impression of timber laths to the reverse. 673 grams total, 6.3-11.3 cm
Acquired in the 19th century. Ex Jeger collection, Switzerland. UK gallery, early 2000s.
These small fragments, for analogies with the fragments of Pompeii, seem to belong to the second style of Roman painting, red panels representing highlight and shadow, decorated with vegetal interlaces. A red grenade fillet probably framed some panels. A fragment shows alternate blue and red colours over a cream background, maybe pertinent to a socle.
