Roman Lamp with Silenus

$417.02

A Roman terracotta oil lamp, bearing a depiction of the face of the bearded god, Silenus. The perimeter of the lamp has a repeated ovolo-type pattern. The lamp also features a small circular nozzle at the front and a ring handle at the back.

Date: Circa 2nd century AD
Provenance: From the collection of Arno Jumpertz, Leverkusen, Germany, 1924-1984. Much of the collection was exhibited at Neus museum, 1985.
Condition: Very Fine condition; surface glaze quite eroded around the outside.

SOLD

SKU: AS-3710 Category: Tags: , ,

Silenus was the rustic god of wine-making and drunkenness, and always depicted as an old man. He was the foster father, tutor, and companion of the god, Dionysus, who was entrusted to Silenus’ care by Hermes after his birth from the thigh of Zeus. Silenus rode in the train of Dionysus, seated on the back of a donkey, and it was believed that he could predict the future when intoxicated.

To discover more about the cult of Dionysus please visit our relevant blog post: Dionysus: Madness, Release, and Wine.

Weight 64 g
Dimensions L 9.8 cm
Culture

Region

Pottery and Porcelain

Greek Mythology

Reference: For a similar item, The Metropolitan Museum, accession number 74.51.2114.

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