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LOT 0911
Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp with Grape Vines
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
3 3/4 in. (58 grams, 94 mm).
Mould-made, the round handle absent, deep body, broad outward-sloping shoulder with grapes and vine decorations, separated from concave discus by two thin circular ridges with a groove between, central filling-hole, short round-tipped nozzle with two volutes on flat space between the discus edge and wick-hole, base marked by three circular grooves. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the collection of Mr W.A. Stewart, Director of School of Arts and Crafts, Cairo, 1919-1929.
Acquired Christie's, London, Antiquities, Works of Art and Important Renaissance Bronzes, Plaquettes and Limoges Enamels, 8 July 1981, no.126 (part).
From a private Wiltshire, UK, collection.
Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Christie's catalogue page.
Cf. Bussière, J., Lindros Wohl, B., Ancient Lamps in the J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, 2017, pp.381-382, and nos.522-523, for the type.
FootnotesThe lamp belongs to the Loeschke type VIII, eastern variants. These lamps appeared in the second half of the 1st century but were long-lived, for a number have been found in a 3rd century A.D. context in the necropolis of Beth Shearim. Whether this decor of typical double volutes was devised by lamp makers in Asia Minor or Attica, and who influenced whom, is not yet possible to determine. But it is worth signalling the use of this decor as anchored in the eastern part of the Mediterranean.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Glass Vessel
1st-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Tall thin translucent pale green vessel with wide foot and dimpled base, tapering stem and flared rim. 27.6 grams, 12.5 cm
From a London, UK, collection, 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Similar bottles were produced in Roman Cyprus, mainly. Hayes had divided the Cypriot products into three classes on the basis of the character of the glass. This example belongs to the third class, i.e. ‘very thin walled pieces in a pale fabric, almost colorless in parts’. -
Roman Glass Unguentarium
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
With piriform lower body, extended cylindrical neck and rolled flange rim. 31 grams, 11.3 cm
Previously with Astarte Gallery, London W1, UK, 1983. From the private collection of T.R. Elley, West Sussex, UK, 1980s. Accompanied by the original invoice dated 18 October 1983. -
Roman Sardonyx Cameo of a Sleeping Dog with Greek Inscription
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,690
With a cameo image of a lying dog curled to the right, ancient Greek lettering below 'ΓΡΗΓΟΡΙ (sic)': either 'Be wakeful' or '(ring/seal) of Gregory. 0.61 grams, 12 mm
Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.
