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LOT 0794
Roman Early Christian Terracotta Oil Lamp
3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D.
4 in. (64 grams, 10 cm).
With decorated bow shaped nozzle, large central filling-hole surrounded by a dotted ridge, shoulder decorated by geometric patterns; the handle shaped as a human face representing a head of Christ or a saint.
ProvenanceCollected from 1970-1999.
From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.
Cf. Porat, R., Davidovich, U., Langford, B., Zissu, B., 'Votive Offerings from the Late Roman Period in the Te' omim Cave, Western Jerusalem Hills' in Taal, O., Weiss, Z., Expression of Cult in Southern Levant in the Greco-Roman period, Turnhout, 2017, pp.111-130.
FootnotesThe lamp seems to be a variant of the type Beit Nattif lamps, usually with pyramidal handle (here substituted by a head of a saint or Christ) and a reddish slip on the upper part. This was the most widespread type of lamps in use in Judaea in the Late Roman Period.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Roman Redware Fragment Collection
Circa 4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £325
Comprising three edge fragments: one with a centaur carrying away a woman, amphora below; one showing a butting goat defending itself against a large hound; one showing a profile head of a bearded man with a staff and bag, possibly the god Mercury, a leaping hound before him. 53.1 grams total, 50-97 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Lead Commercial Weight of 1 Mna
Dated SE 230 (83/2 B.C.)Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,111
Square in plan with ribbed edge and hatched reverse; ETOYΣ ΛΣ (date) ΔHMOΣIA MNA (denomination) with border to initial lamda, two crossed cornucopiae, to left a monogram; latticework design to the reverse. 704 grams, 96 mm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. 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 search certificate number no.12225-222343.
Such commercial weights were produced in cities currently or formerly under Seleukid control. The inscription ΔHMOΣIA ('public'), indicates that this was used as an official market weight. -
Roman Glass Double Unguentarium
3rd-4th century A.D.Estimate: £400 - 600 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
Pale green iridescent glass, two tapering tubes with rolled, everted rims, applied lateral triangular handles. 78 grams, 11 cm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.