Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp Group

Modelled as an elongated phallus with lateral testis, integral suspension loop above. 10 grams, 36 mm



UK private collection before 2000. On the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.

With high-relief image depicting a she-wolf in profile advancing beneath a tree, with an infant or boy (Romulus?) on its back, nude and looking up towards the tree. 39 grams, 62 mm

Mostly intact, good condition.

Believed to have been found in Wakefield, UK, in the 1960s. From the Roman 'Invasion Period' private collection of Brian Riley, Wakefield, UK, 1960s-2007. Acquired from Brian Riley, Yorkshire, UK, circa 2007. Property of a Stowmarket, UK, gentleman. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Military phalerae usually depicted heads of the gods, spirits of the underworld, birds and lions. The higher officers in the Roman army had the custom of wearing a rich suite of phalerae with its straps directly attached to leather garments or doublets, worn over their armour. These decorations were awarded in sets, commonly of nine, although sources confirm that this was not an always the case.

Presented as a very young child sitting on the ground, wearing a long tunic which covers his body and legs down to his feet; right arm bent and hand raised to the shoulder, left hand curved around an object (absent); sporting the conventional sidelock behind the right ear; mounted in a custom-made tiered wooden stand. 213 grams, 73 mm (276 grams total, 10.2 cm including stand)



Ex Hanna Saba collection, Ambassador to Egypt-USA-France (1909-1992). Private European collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12098-218159.

His name was Hellenized in the Ptolemaic era and adopted by the Romans, indicating the mythological figure of Horus the child; he was the son of Isis and Osiris, and adored especially in Alexandria.