Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp with Tauroctony

With narrow base and shallow shoulder, everted rim to the broad mouth; with inked museum number 'E1029' and accession ticket 'Roman Cremation (inside jar) 1st Cent. A.D. Viroconium Cornoviorum (Wroxeter) Lands of the Cornovii'; professionally repaired. 4.45 kg, 35.5cm



Found Wroxeter (Viroconium Cornoviorum), UK, in 1921. From a West Country, UK, collection, 1990s. Accompanied by a handwritten identification card with '1921' to verso.

The Cornovii inhabited an area of the (modern) English West Midlands, from Staffordshire to Chester, centered on modern Wroxeter (Viroconium Cornoviorum). This was among the largest administrative centres in Roman Britain, and drew its wealth in part from salt production and the mining of lead, copper and silver.

Modelled standing nude, wearing the winged petasos and with a bag of coins in his extended right hand; mounted on a custom-made stand. 85 grams total, 10.2 cm including stand



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

This statuette of possible Gallo-Roman origin is part of a production of quickly cast votive bronzes, where the features of the body and face were barely highlighted. However, it presents very clearly the characteristic petasos with wings and the small bag, symbol of his protectorate over travellers, traders and thieves.

Squat lamp with broad discus and segmented shoulder, ribbed upper face to nozzle, pierced lug handle; discus with low-relief image of Mithras grappling the bull. 138 grams, 12 cm



From the private collection of Mr K.A., acquired in the 1990s-early 2000s.