Roman North African Redware Oil Lamp w/ Chi Rho

Roman, North Africa, Imperial Period, ca. 3rd to 4th century CE. A mold-formed redware pottery oil lamp of a substantial size with a circular foot, gradually expanding walls, a pair of fill holes within the recessed tondo, a conical handle, and a broad wick spout in front of a narrow neck channel. Surrounding the tondo is a low relief register of encircled diamonds, trapezoids with spiraling terminals, horseshoe-shaped archways, and a singular goose, and within the neck channel is the Chi Rho, one of the earliest Christograms and symbols of Christianity in the Roman Empire. Size: 5.4" L x 3.2" W x 2.375" H (13.7 cm x 8.1 cm x 6 cm)

Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired in 2004; ex-Tom Cederlind collection, Portland, Oregon, USA

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#151073
Condition Report: Minor overpainting to one side of body, with light abrasions to base, body, and handle, and minor softening to some finer details, otherwise intact and very good. Great traces of original detailing and Chi Rho.