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LOT 0812
Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp with Cybele Riding a Lion
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
4 3/4 in. (172 grams, 12 cm).
Lug handle to the rear, shallow discus with filling holes and a low-relief image of goddess Cybele riding on her frequent companion, a lion.
ProvenanceAcquired on the European art market, 1980s.
English private collection.
See The Getty Museum, inv.no.83.AK.438.418, for similar in Bussière, J., Lindros Wohl, B., Ancient Lamps in the J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, 2017, no.358, p.252, type Loeschcke VIII; Bussière form D IX.
FootnotesThis lamp belongs to the group of Provincial African lamps with a plain shoulder and a heart-shaped nozzle. The shoulder form of the lamps (irrespective of African, Italic, or eastern place of manufacture or origin) varies widely. Some of them had undecorated shoulders, like our example. Discus decors include mythology, amphitheatre, daily life, animals (our example), geometric patterns and plain discus.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Bronze Disc Mirror
1st-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
With one flat surface, reverse with thick flared rim, incised concentric rings, carinated profile. 514 grams, 18.5 cm
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Roman Mosaic and Other Glass Necklace Bead Group
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The mass production of glass in Ancient Rome prompted the development of glass jewellery of unique qualities. The ancient Romans considered jewellery to be an essential accessory, being a public display of the wealth of high social classes. Recent excavations have provided better information on the use of glass beads for necklaces and bracelets, and in some case has been possible to understand the exact arrangement of a necklace or other jewellery made of glass. Many of the examples here presented belongs to the so-called category of ‘eye-beads’.