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LOT 0848
Roman Redware Oil Lamp with Amphora
NORTH AFRICA, 5TH CENTURY A.D.
5 3/4 in. (226 grams, 14.5 cm).
With a lug handle and oval elongated body, two central filling-holes flanking the image of a kantharos, enclosed within a decorative shallow border on the shoulders with alternating floral S’s, concentric circles and quatrefoils; two thin concentric circles on the base with letter B in the middle, possibly the potter’s mark. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom 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.
See Bussière, J., Lindros Wohl, B., Ancient Lamps in the J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, 2017, nos.499-500, p.357.
FootnotesThe lamp belongs to the type Atlante X or Hayes II A. The so-called Christian lamps in Terra Sigillata Africana have been classified by Hayes into two major types, I and II. He has distinguished two classes in his type II, according to geographic place of manufacture or origin. Subtype II A group lamps from central Tunisia are characterised by a fine clay, glossy light orange slip, and carefully executed decoration using a great number of neatly drawn shoulder motifs. The kantharos is a fairly common motif in Early Christian imagery, as a container of life giving water.
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 Buffware Oil Lamp with Seahorse
Circa 3rd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Mould made with a solid round unpierced handle, broad horizontal shoulder separated from the discus by a shallow circular groove; upper filling-hole over the central part of the discus decorated by a seahorse leaping to the left, surrounded by volutes; slightly raised rounded nozzle, base-ring marked with two circular grooves. 57 grams, 76 mm
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 depiction of various animals is common on Roman lamps, appearing just as frequently as they do elsewhere in Roman art. Animals formed part of the decorative and symbolic schemes on monumental and funerary sculpture, frescoes and mosaics. The hippocampus symbolised water, power, bravery, and helpfulness. It was also defined as a symbol of hope, strength, and agility because of its ability to help people. This popular sea creature was connected with imagination and creativity and also associated with the god of the sea, Poseidon. -
Large Roman Decorated Bronze Bow Brooch
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
P-shaped with wide bow and foot, hatched to the edges with ring-and-dot ornament to the centre of the bow, bar above to hold the sprung pin, foot returning to form the catchplate, the upper edge of which is hammered into a flat wire coiled around the bottom of the bow. 56 grams, 95 mm
Ex property of an Austrian private collector since the 1970s. -
Roman Gold Ring
3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £702
With broad ellipsoid hoop and conical shoulders, squat disc bezel. 4.71 grams, 22.35 mm overall, 16.15 mm internal diameter (approximate size British F, USA 2 3/4, Europe 3.67, Japan 3)
Private collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, 1990s, thence by descent.
