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LOT 0846
Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp with Bird Facing Right
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
3 7/8 in. (64 grams, 98 mm).
Discoid in plan with D-shaped nozzle, loop handle, discus with low-relief image of tperching bird on a baseline; discus and base bordered with two circular grooves; old label '52' to base and auction tag '455 2' to handle. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx Weschler's Auctioneers, Washington, D.C., USA, in 1982, no.455.
Accompanied by a copy of a receipt dated 26th September 1982.
Cf. Bussière, J., Lindros Wohl, B., Ancient Lamps in the J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, 2017, nos.327ss, p.230ff, for type.
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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Eastern Roman Gemstone of Apollo in Gold Ring
1st century A.D.Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,000
Intaglio engraved with a profile bust of Apollo, the god of lyrical poetry, wearing a wreath; a kithara in the field; set into a later substantial gold ring with D-section hoop, a conical projection to each shoulder; separately made bezel with floral motif to the domed underside; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 13.26 grams, 31.15 mm overall, 19.61 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)
Ex Japanese collection, 1990s. Private collection, England. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13166-249547. -
Roman Bronze Ring with Rabbit
2nd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
Ellipsoid bezel with incuse motif of a crouching rabbit. 2.23 grams, 21.66 mm overall, 19.12 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
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Roman Bronze Hand-Standing Acrobat
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,800
A statuette of an acrobat on a round, drum-shaped base, standing on his hands, body arching slightly and legs together; wearing a loin cloth and cap decorated with floral pattern; eyes inlaid with silver. 162 grams, 12 cm high
Ex property of a Surrey collector; acquired in the early 1970s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13125-249637.
Acrobats in ancient Rome could perform at a number of venues; either in theatres, as 'gap fillers' between gladiatorial contests at the amphitheatre, at private parties or at impromptu street performances and fairs. A convivium was a dinner party with family, friends or associates. It was somewhat like a Greek symposium except that it was generally regarded as a chance to talk business or politics rather than philosophy and weighty matters. A commissatio was a wild drinking party. Prostitutes, jugglers, musicians, acrobats, actors and fire-eaters entertained guests at the banquets of wealthy Romans. From the descriptions given by Roman authors these banquets were lavish affairs with rose petals scattered on the floor, mechanical devices lowering acrobats and entertainers from the ceiling and slaves blew exotic scents into the room. The emperors also had special entertainment barges constructed on some of the ornamental lakes in the parks of Rome where acrobats entertained the guests.
