Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp with Gladiators in Combat

2ND CENTURY A.D.

4 7/8 in. (113 grams, 12.4 cm).

Broad and squat with deeply indented discus bearing a low-relief scene of two gladiators wearing padded, hooped armour, one with a small square shield and falx, the other with a domed shield and a longer bladed weapon, each with a wide-brimmed Thracian-type helmet; loop handle partly absent; old collector's card: 'Roman lamp, buff with orange slip, late 1st or early 2nd century A.D. Heart shaped nozzle, handle missing. on the 'discus' two gladiators fighting. They are both of the 'Thrax' class i.e. Thracians. the one on the left holds an oblong buckle and a short curved dagger ('sica') that on the right holds a small round shield ('clipeus') and sword. Both wear helmets ('galea'), armour, and greaves ('ocrea'). Portobello Rd, 31 May 1958.' [No Reserve]

Provenance

From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s.

Accompanied by an old handwritten identification card written by Peter Clayton.

CONDITION

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LOT 1328