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LOT 0066
Roman Terracotta Lamp with Fighting Gladiators
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
4 7/8 in. (84 grams, 12.4 cm).
Composed of a discoid body with sunken discus bearing a scene of two gladiators in combat in relief, tabula ansata below, ring handle and roughly D-shaped nozzle with volutes; old crack to base.
ProvenanceFrom a German collection.
Ex Cambridge, UK, collection, 1980s.
Cf. Gilbert, F., Devenir Gladiateur, la vie quotidienne á l'ecole de la mort, La Capelle-Marival, 2013, pp.30-31, for similar lucernae.
FootnotesThe two gladiators seem to wear the armaturae of murmillones. All gladiators began their career as provocatores; the learning of their combat technique was polyvalent and allowed the fighters to specialise as a large shield-bearer (the scutati) like murmillones, or as a small shield-bearers, parmati, like the oplomachus.
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 Bronze Horse Brooch
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
The openwork figure shown standing left on a groundline, simple detailing to the eye and mane; pin lug, pin and catchplate to reverse. 10.6 grams, 37 mm
Acquired on the German art market around 2000. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Silver Ingot with Palm Branch
1st-4th century A.D.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £167
Incised with a palm frond within a hatched border, hatching to three of the side edges. 14.5 grams, 26 mm
‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection. -
Roman Bronze Oinochoe with Lion Protome
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,680
The conical body decorated with overlapping petal-shaped panels, tapering neck with a wide spout, high arching handle with acanthus leaves, bust of a youthful male with long hair below (possibly Bacchus) the upper part terminating with a lion protome with the extended forelegs resting on the rim of the vessel, the high flaring foot possibly added later. 797 grams, 22.5 cm high
Excellent condition
Private collection, Rosenheim, Germany, 1960s. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11734-201200.
Considering the primary function of oinochoe as drinking jugs, the images decorating them were often related to the god of wine, Bacchus, here probably represented as young Dionysus accompanied by a lion.
