Description:
This is a beautiful clay oil lamp, mould-made, with a heart-shaped nozzle, a round body and a handle on the shoulder. The discus has a marvellously detailed depiction of an antelope, running to the left, with the muscles, the hoofs, the eye and details of the striated horns all indicated. Beneath the animal a filling-hole and an air-hole. The shoulder is decorated with an incised pattern of rays. The base has an incised rosette.
For the type, see Deneauve, Rome VIII, more specifically no. 917 on p. 194 and pl. 83, which shows an antelope running to the right (shoulder decorated differently); other depictions of antelopes on no. 977 on p. 202 and pl. 89 (another antelope running to the right) or no. 958 on p. 200 and pl. 87 (a lying antelope).
Dating:
Mid 2nd - early 3rd century C.E.
Size:
Length 10.3 cm, width 7.2 cm, height 2.5 cm, including handle 4.4 cm
Provenance:
Dutch private collection; ex Münzen und Medaillen AG Basel, before 1974.
Condition:
In great condition for an archaeological object. For the sake of completeness I should mention that there are minimal traces of encrustation, some pitting, a 1.5 mm spot of roughness on the rim of the discus and a shallow opening (ca. 4 x 3 mm) on the shoulder next to the handle. But overall the lamp is intact and in great condition, with a beautiful image on the discus.
Price:
€ 850
Stock number:
C0660