Ancient Roman Terracotta Oil lamp with Meleager and the Calydonian Boar. Spanish Export License. 2nd-3rd century AD.11.5 cm

Oil lamp with Meleager and the Calydonian Boar

Ancient Roman, 2nd-3rd century AD

Terracotta

11. 5 cm L.

CONDITION: Restored

PROVENANCE: Private collection, Touluse, France, 1960 - 1970.

Ancient Roman lamps were small utensils, normally made from terracotta, which were used by the ancient Romans to provide artificial light. They were fuelled by olive oil and had from one to a dozen wicks. Some had handles so they could be moved easily from one room to another. They could also be carried by participants in ritual activities or by actors in plays.

Lamps could be decorated with erotic scenes, with gladiators, mythological figures and floral motifs. They were turned out en masse using moulds rather than being hand crafted.

Notes:

The seller guarantees that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property. Provenance statement seen by Catawiki.
The seller will take care that any necessary permits, like an export license will be arranged, he will inform the buyer about the status of it if this takes more than a few days.