Ancient Greek Attic blackware Oil Lamp
16
days
09
hours
18
minutes
15
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Current bid
€ 2
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 430 - € 500
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Ancient Greek Attic blackware oil lamp from the 5th–4th century BC, in good intact condition with a dark slip finish, measuring approximately 110.7 by 72.7 mm and authenticated as original, acquired from a private collection in the Netherlands in 2026.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Ancient Greek Attic pottery blackware oil lamp, with rounded body, central filling hole, long tapering nozzle, and a diagonally offset side lug. The surface is covered in a dark black slip, giving the vessel its characteristic refined appearance.
-> Black-glazed lamps of this type were used in the Greek world for everyday lighting, but their neat proportions and carefully finished surfaces also reflect the aesthetic quality of Attic pottery production.
Condition: Good ancient condition, complete. Some chipping to the black slip, and visible signs of age-related wear consistent with age and use. The lamp remains intact overall.
Size: ± 110,7 x 72,7 mm
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Oil lamps were essential household objects in the ancient Greek world, used to provide light in homes, workshops, sanctuaries, and tombs. Their form developed over time from simple open bowls into more controlled closed vessels with filling holes and defined nozzles, allowing the flame to burn more steadily and efficiently.
Attic blackware and black-glazed pottery was especially admired for its elegant finish and balanced forms. Even practical objects such as lamps were made with considerable care, combining utility with the refined visual language of Greek ceramic production. Pieces such as this reflect the importance of light in daily life and the high standard of craftsmanship achieved by ancient Greek potters.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Ancient Greek Attic pottery blackware oil lamp, with rounded body, central filling hole, long tapering nozzle, and a diagonally offset side lug. The surface is covered in a dark black slip, giving the vessel its characteristic refined appearance.
-> Black-glazed lamps of this type were used in the Greek world for everyday lighting, but their neat proportions and carefully finished surfaces also reflect the aesthetic quality of Attic pottery production.
Condition: Good ancient condition, complete. Some chipping to the black slip, and visible signs of age-related wear consistent with age and use. The lamp remains intact overall.
Size: ± 110,7 x 72,7 mm
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Oil lamps were essential household objects in the ancient Greek world, used to provide light in homes, workshops, sanctuaries, and tombs. Their form developed over time from simple open bowls into more controlled closed vessels with filling holes and defined nozzles, allowing the flame to burn more steadily and efficiently.
Attic blackware and black-glazed pottery was especially admired for its elegant finish and balanced forms. Even practical objects such as lamps were made with considerable care, combining utility with the refined visual language of Greek ceramic production. Pieces such as this reflect the importance of light in daily life and the high standard of craftsmanship achieved by ancient Greek potters.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Ancient Greek
Century/timeframe
5th-4th century BC
Name of object
Attic blackware Oil Lamp
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2026
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
2026
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
