Roman Redware Oil Lamp - Fish in Tondo

**Originally Listed At $600**

Roman, North Africa, Imperial Period, ca. 4th to 5th century CE. A lovely mold-formed redware pottery oil lamp with a circular base, a wide body, a horseshoe-shaped shoulder surrounding a pair of fill holes, a tab-shaped handle, and a broad wick spout in front of the narrow neck channel. A repeating low relief register of triangular and spade-shaped leaves surround the shoulder of the lamp, and within the recessed tondo is a depiction of a spotted fish with stippled 'scales' and a lengthy tail. The fish is one of the oldest zoomorphic symbols denoting Christianity and Jesus Christ in particular. Size: 5.7" L x 3.2" W x 2.125" H (14.5 cm x 8.1 cm x 5.4 cm)

Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired in 2002; ex-Tom Cederlind collection, Portland, Oregon, USA

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#151074
Condition Report: Minor fading and staining to red color near wick spout, light encrustations, and softening to some finer details, otherwise intact and very good. Light earthen deposits throughout.