Roman Terracotta Foot Lamp

2ND CENTURY A.D.

4 3/4 in. (112 grams, 12.2 cm).

Mould-made and shaped as a sandaled left foot, filling-hole surrounded by a ridge in the ankle area, the sandal with two leather straps tied together near the ankle, wick-hole in the big toe; inscription 'ƩΑΛΣΙϹ' to the base, heel chipped.

Provenance

With Gorny & Mosch, Auction 194, 14 December 2010, lot 505.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11799-206830.

Literature

See Bussière, J., Lindros Wohl, B., Ancient Lamps in the J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, 2017, no.599, p.438.

Footnotes

This lamp belongs to a type of plastic lamp made in Anatolia and widespread throughout the Eastern Empire. The sandaled foot was part of the classification of plastic lamps dedicated to the representation of the human body. These lamps were the luxuries of the poor, being brought to temples as votive offerings, however some took their place in the domestic lararia, or were kept by children as playthings.

CONDITION

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LOT 0114