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LOT 0807
Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp with Foliate Decoration
CIRCA 3RD CENTURY A.D.
3 1/8 in. (42 grams, 81 mm).
Discoid lamp with low-relief decoration on the shoulder, concentric circles on the base. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a Cambridge, UK, gentleman, by direct descent from his father, who acquired the items in London in circa 1960.
LiteratureCf. Rosenthal, R., Sivan, R., Ancient Lamps in the Schloessinger Collection, Jerusalem, 1978, figs.404,406, 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 0807
Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp with Foliate Decoration
Estimate £20 - 30€23 - 35 (for guidance only)$27 - 41 (for guidance only)
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Roman to Medieval Bronze Ring Collection
1st-16th century A.D.Estimate: £120 - 170 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £60
Comprising ten rings, including an archer's ring, a ring with a glass cabochon, a ring with a stylised eagle, and others. 53.03 grams total, 15-31 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Bronze Artefact Group
1st-4th century A.D.Estimate: £40 - 60 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Including a large net-needle, cosmetic or medicinal spoon with disc bowl and other items. 34.3 grams total, 4-13.6 cm
From the private collection of Mr Brian Edwards, New Malden, Surrey, UK, formed from the late 1970s-early 1980s; thence by descent. -
Roman Terracotta Bullae, Tesserae or Token Group
3rd century B.C.-1st century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
A mixed group of ceramic bullae, tesserae or theatre tokens bearing low-relief motifs, mainly consisting of profile busts of deities. 36.2 grams total, 13-22 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
The term 'tessera' was used in Roman times to convey the Greek term σύμβολον (token). Small tiles are known as tokens, often shaped like coins, made of metal (copper, lead, iron), clay, bone, wood, or glass, stamped as well as engraved. The tokens, however, are not exclusively coin-shaped, as the Latin term 'tessera' refers to a four-sided shape. Tokens and tesserae seem to have been used both in Athens and Rome for the distribution of goods. According to written sources, the term ‘token’ is identified with credentials of the official authorities. They have also been interpreted as tokens of identity, as entrance tickets to theatre performances, tribunals or assemblies of citizens, archival material of seal engraving, as pawns in games, Charon’s obols and even as amulets.
