Rare Ptolemaic Egyptian Oil Lamp

$499.17

A rare Egyptian clay oil lamp from the Ptolemaic period featuring a large, circular body with a slender, tapering nozzle. Three small knobs appear at the top and sides. There is a large filling hole to the centre, surrounded by relief decoration. To the reverse is a slightly raised foot, concaving inwards and decorated with a rosette. Traces of a lighter, dark brown-red slip still evident.

The large central discus depicts two cupids with a palmette between them. Other geometric patterning acts as a filler between the two cupids.

Date: Circa 3rd century BC
Period: Hellenistic period
Provenance: From the collection of Arno Jumpertz, Leverkusen, Germany, 1924-1984. Much of the collection was exhibited at Neus museum, 1985.
Condition: Fine. Small hole to discus. Loss of glaze.

SOLD

SKU: AH-572 Category: Tags: , ,

Mold-made Ptolemaic lamps, such as this, would have been a forerunner for Roman oil lamps. They would have likely have been made in Alexandria. The familiarity of making items from molds, such as faience amulets, and the readily-available plaster would have allowed potters and lamp makers to easily transition from wheel-made lamps.

Weight 65.2 g
Dimensions L 10.3 x W 8 x H 2.4 cm
Country

Culture

,

Pottery and Porcelain

Region

Roman Mythology