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LOT 0846
Roman Oil Lamp with Leda and The Swan
2ND CENTURY A.D.
4 in. (77 grams, 10.3 cm).
A Roman North African terracotta oil lamp with grooved ring handle; discus decorated with the mythological scene depicting Leda and the swan embracing.
ProvenanceDr Suzanne Gozlan, thence by descent.
Suzanne Gozlan (1921-2022), a doctor of History and Archaeology, served as a professor at the Ecole Normale d'Instituteurs de Chartres and lectured at the University of Paris 4 Sorbonne.
Property of a Bristol, UK, gentleman.
Cf. a similar lamp in Jean Bussiere and Birgitta Lindros Wohl, Ancient Lamps in the J. Paul Getty Museum, item 358.
FootnotesIn Greek mythology, Leda was the wife of King Tyndareus and queen of Sparta. According to the myth, Zeus, the king of the gods, was captivated by Leda's beauty and appeared before her in the form of a swan. He then either raped or seduced her and impregnated her. The same night, Leda slept with her husband who also impregnated her, as a result of these two unions she laid two eggs, each containing one set of twins. According to later Greek mythology Leda bore Helen (of Troy) and Polydeuces, children of Zeus, while at the same time bearing Castor and Clytemnestra, children of her husband.
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LOT 0846
Roman Oil Lamp with Leda and The Swan
Estimate £200 - 300€230 - 350 (for guidance only)$270 - 410 (for guidance only)
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Roman Bronze Statuette of Helios-Alexander
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,820
The god standing nude on an ivy-leaf base in contrapposto pose with right arm extended and hand held palm-outwards; mantle pinned at the right shoulder and wrapped around the bent left arm; the head held erect with soft rounded facial features and luxuriant curls, diadem with radiating spikes representing beams of light; mounting stud to the reverse; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 583 grams total, 17.5 cm including stand
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
The cult of Helios-Apollo intensified in the third century A.D. and the adoration of Sol Invictus, with the radiate crown, was often linked to that of Mithras, the god of legions, whose symbol was the bull. Under Emperor Aurelian, the Sol Invictus became the main god, protector of Rome and the Roman state. -
Roman and Other Bead Necklace
1st-4th century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £65
Restrung designer necklace including oblate, biconvex, barrel-shaped and other types. 16.6 grams, 38 cm
Acquired on the London, UK, art market in the 1990s. Ex London, UK, gallery. -
Roman Bronze and Other Artefact Group
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Including Hod Hill brooch, military belt fittings, enamelled stud and other items. 155 grams total, 14-70 mm
Found various sites in Essex, UK. Property of an Essex collector.
