Roman Bronze Oil Lamp w/ Gryphon Handle
Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE. An exquisite cast bronze oil lamp with a pear-shaped body including a long spout; above that is a curved handle with a terminal in the form of a gryphon's head. The animal's face features a long beak, large eyes, a goatee, and a series of lizard-like frills down the neck from the top of the head. The fill hole is relatively simple, with a thin, raised rim. A small loop for suspension sits between the spout and the fill hole; another is attached to the back of the gryphon's head. The lamp rests upon a simple, low disc foot. Oil lamps such as this were filled with olive oil, had a wick placed inside the spout, and were used to light homes, shops, holy places, and many other locations throughout the Roman world. Oil lamps were certainly among the most ubiquitous objects in antiquity; however, finely crafted examples like this one were more unusual. Size: 5.05" W x 3.8" H (12.8 cm x 9.7 cm)
Despite the prevalence of terracotta lamps, bronze oil lamps are among some of the rarest artifacts to come from the Roman Empire. Their scarcity, however, is a reminder of how everyday life would have been for the people who used them. Bronze examples like this were only affordable to upper class households due to the inherent cost and time associated with the processing, refinement, and ultimately casting of bronze. This particular example is much finer than the average, with its meticulous attention to detail and sturdy composition, and was probably created for and belonged to a member of the Roman elite who would have passed it down as a family heirloom.
Provenance: private Zaveloff collection, Lakewood, New Jersey, USA, acquired from Venus Gallery, Israel, in 2002
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#151329
Condition Report: Small indentation near the foot on one side, otherwise in great condition with very slight bending to the spout. Rich, smooth green patina on surface with great preservation of details and form.
View it on
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE. An exquisite cast bronze oil lamp with a pear-shaped body including a long spout; above that is a curved handle with a terminal in the form of a gryphon's head. The animal's face features a long beak, large eyes, a goatee, and a series of lizard-like frills down the neck from the top of the head. The fill hole is relatively simple, with a thin, raised rim. A small loop for suspension sits between the spout and the fill hole; another is attached to the back of the gryphon's head. The lamp rests upon a simple, low disc foot. Oil lamps such as this were filled with olive oil, had a wick placed inside the spout, and were used to light homes, shops, holy places, and many other locations throughout the Roman world. Oil lamps were certainly among the most ubiquitous objects in antiquity; however, finely crafted examples like this one were more unusual. Size: 5.05" W x 3.8" H (12.8 cm x 9.7 cm)
Despite the prevalence of terracotta lamps, bronze oil lamps are among some of the rarest artifacts to come from the Roman Empire. Their scarcity, however, is a reminder of how everyday life would have been for the people who used them. Bronze examples like this were only affordable to upper class households due to the inherent cost and time associated with the processing, refinement, and ultimately casting of bronze. This particular example is much finer than the average, with its meticulous attention to detail and sturdy composition, and was probably created for and belonged to a member of the Roman elite who would have passed it down as a family heirloom.
Provenance: private Zaveloff collection, Lakewood, New Jersey, USA, acquired from Venus Gallery, Israel, in 2002
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#151329
Condition Report: Small indentation near the foot on one side, otherwise in great condition with very slight bending to the spout. Rich, smooth green patina on surface with great preservation of details and form.
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
