Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp

Modelled seated on a polygonal base wearing a paenula, the right hand placed on the left shoulder, head tilted to one side, right hand placed on a stela or lantern. 23.9 grams, 34 mm



‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.

The monkey is bearing a military sagum with cucullus and is holding beside him a squared lucerna. This representation can be a Roman military mascot or simply a grotesque. In 2001 in Spain, at Llivia, remains of Barbary apes with military belt buckles typically related to the late Roman period were discovered. The discovery of this type of belt buckle in a human grave would suggest that they were once a part of this army, so the fact that some were given to a Barbary ape means that the apes played a military role, for example, acted as targets to distract the enemy, or were used in type of a combat or for defence. Apes were also a very common form of pet in the Graeco-Roman world.

Modelled in the round with semi-naturalistic facial features and hair style with centre parting and tied in a chignon at the nape, detailing to the folds in the fabric of her garment; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 425 grams total, 11 cm high including stand



Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

This bust probably served as a weight. The head of the sculpture is slightly turned up to the left, with a serious expression. The small sculpture could represent a bacchante or maenad, even if there are no visible iconographic elements directly linked to the cult of Dionysus.

Of plano-convex form, depicting an ear of wheat, a fly, an elephant in profile, a mouse and a locust; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 1.68 grams, 17 mm



Ex property of a London gentleman; acquired by his father in the 1970s; thence by descent.