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LOT 0884
Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp with Facing Bust
120-200 A.D.
4 1/4 in. (67 grams, 10.7 cm).
Ribbed loop handle to the rear, discus with a nude bust of a young woman, a garment folded over her left shoulder; the base with maker's mark 'MNOVIVSI', for M. Novius Iustus.
ProvenanceAcquired on the European art market, 1980s.
English private collection.
See The Getty Museum, inv.no.83.AQ.377.205, for similar discus motif by a different maker in Bussière, J., Lindros Wohl, B., Ancient Lamps in the J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, 2017, no.292, p.204, type Loeschcke VIII; Bussière form D II 1.
FootnotesThe discus decors of these lamps are various: Diana, Dioscuri, Sol and Luna, Africa, Lares, and griffin; portraits of Domitian, Hadrian, male head, bust of a young man, bust of a young woman (our specimen), bust of a bearded old man, fisherman, and an aulete; scorpion, boar, and lion with crocodile; etc. They were an African production and not less than seven workshops have been individuated: M N O V I V, M N O V I V S T (our example), M N O V I V S T I, I V N I A L E X I, C C O R V R S, E X F N A / LV C C E I O R V M.
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
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