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LOT 0817
Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp of Head of Silenus
LATE 1ST CENTURY B.C.-EARLY 1ST CENTURY A.D.
4 3/4 in. (82 grams, 12.1 cm).
Mould-made with the upper half of the body in the form of a male head with well-defined features, long moustache and beard, possibly a representation of the god Silenus; ring handle at the rear.
ProvenancePreviously Cambridge, UK, private collection, circa 2010.
Ex London, UK, gallery.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
See Hayes, J.W., Ancient Lamps in the Royal Ontario Museum, item 99, for a similar example.
FootnotesPlastic lamps with figurines first appear in the Hellenistic period, possibly originating in Athens. Found in all parts of the Mediterranean basin, they were particularly popular during the first and second centuries AD.
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 Bloodstone Intaglio with Horus, Osiris and Ouroboros
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,160
Egyptizing intaglio representing the myth of Osiris, with the mummy of the god resting above the snake Ouroboros and surmounted by his son, the falcon god Horus, a star above. 1.31 grams, 17 mm
Giorgio Sangiorgi (1886-1965), Rome, acquired and brought to Switzerland, late 1930s; thence by continuous descent to the current owner. with Christie's Ancient Jewellery, New York, 6 December 2007, no.338. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12582-232140. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The image of Ouroboros (a snake eating its own tail) is usually associated with stars and Egyptian mythology as represented in Roman gnostic intaglios. Ouroboros is continuously re-birthing itself and depicted as a circle, representing eternity and the cyclical nature of things that start once they end. It is also the symbol of duality and dualising power. -
Roman Glass Bottle
2nd-3rd century AD.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Piriform body with flattened base, long tubular neck with everted rim. 98 grams, 13.5 cm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Roman Nicolo Gemstone with Venus
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,040
With intaglio standing Venus (Greek Aphrodite) with shield and spear; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.68 grams, 12 mm
Ex Parisian collection, Mr A., 1990s. Acquired in 2010. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
