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LOT 0851
Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp with Extended Nozzle
HOLY LAND, CIRCA 4TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
3 3/4 in. (64.2 grams, 94 mm).
Round body with an elongated nozzle, raised ribs extending from the rear of the lamp to the edge of the nozzle. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx Ancient Art Shop, Windsor, UK, 1990s.
Ex private West County, UK, collection.
Cf. Djuric, S., The Anawati Collection, Ancient Lamps from the Mediterranean, Toronto, 1995, no.C254, p.82, for the 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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LOT 0851
Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp with Extended Nozzle
Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
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Roman Twisted Iridescent Glass Bangle
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Lentoid-section annular type with diagonal barleytwist construction; iridescence to the outer face. 7.9 grams, 56 mm
From the private collection of Mr Brian Edwards, New Malden, Surrey, UK, formed from the late 1970s-early 1980s; thence by descent. Accompanied by the original collector's data sheet(s) with reference no.A177. -
Roman Bronze Double Bezel Ring with Greek Inscription
3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Featuring a D-section hoop and two lentoid-shaped bezels, one with 'AΘI' and the other with 'EVCT' for 'Eustatii = of Eustatios'. 2.28 grams, 20.87 mm overall, 18.32 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I, USA 4 1/4, Europe 7.44, Japan 7)
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s. -
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Roman Sapphire Cameo with Bust of Serapis Later Converted to Saint John the Evangelist
Circa 2nd-3rd century A.D., reworked 6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,800
Carved in the half-round on a sapphire crystal showing striations on the reverse, depicting the upper body of Serapis/St John with modius and pleated tunic, eagle with spread wings placed on the chest. 5.06 grams, 23 mm
Acquired circa 1980. Property of a Middlesex gentleman. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13351-255640.
This is a prime example of late antique or early medieval spolia, where a pagan motif was converted into a Christian one with minimal mental or manual adaptation into a visual fusion of Serapis and Saint John. During the Roman Empire, especially in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, depictions of the 'bust of the God Serapis standing on an eagle' were extremely popular. The eagle symbolised Jupiter-Serapis, as well as Roman power. When the Empire became Christian, this combination was immediately recognised as the Evangelist John, accompanied by his symbol, the eagle. The modius (kalathos) symbolised fertility and dominion over the underworld when placed on Serapis's head. However, it was often incorrectly (or deliberately) interpreted by Christian observers as an early form of a crown, halo, or priestly headdress. As sapphire is extremely difficult to work with, the modius was often left standing, emphasising the figure's imperial or divine dignity. There are documented cases of this kind. Most famous example: 'Gem of Serapis' (Cab. Méd., Paris), or the reinterpretation of depictions of Jupiter as God the Father. During the Christianisation process, pagan gods with beards and eagles (Jupiter/Serapis) were reclassified as John the Evangelist or Christ himself en masse.
