Roman Empire, Early Imperial Period Terracotta Oil Lamp with Scallop-Shell Decoration (No reserve price)
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Current bid
€ 10
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 400 - € 500
 | €10 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €7 | |
| €6 | |
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Oil lamp in terracotta from the Roman Empire with a scallop-shell relief decoration, Loeschcke Type I B, dating to circa 1st century AD, in good condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Ancient Rome – Early Imperial Terracotta Volute Oil Lamp with Scallop-Shell Decoration – Loeschcke Type I B – 1st Century AD
Roman Empire, Early Imperial Period
Circa 1st century AD, probably Claudian–Flavian period
Roman mould-made terracotta oil lamp belonging to the family of early Imperial volute lamps, attributable to Loeschcke Type I B (Bailey Type A).
The lamp has a deep rounded body with a clearly defined raised ring base. The upper surface is dominated by a large concave discus decorated in relief with a stylised scallop shell (pecten), formed by a series of pronounced radiating ribs. The filling hole is positioned in the lower part of the shell decoration.
Several fine concentric grooves frame the discus and separate it from the narrow shoulder.
At the front are the surviving portions of the original volute nozzle, which is now incomplete. The preserved symmetrical relief elements on either side of the nozzle are consistent with the characteristic volutes of early Imperial Loeschcke Type I lamps.
The nozzle itself is anciently damaged, with substantial loss of its terminal portion and wick-hole area.
The underside has a well-defined raised circular foot. No maker's mark or inscription is visible.
The surface preserves attractive reddish-brown tones together with greyish deposits and areas of alteration consistent with age and burial.
Dimensions:
Length: 89.9 mm
Maximum diameter: 67.7 mm
Weight: 59.28 g
Condition: Fragmentary but substantially preserved. The terminal portion of the nozzle and wick-hole are missing. Surface wear, deposits and minor abrasions consistent with age. The shell decoration remains clearly legible. Please refer carefully to the photographs for the condition.
Typology and dating
The morphology belongs to the widespread family of Roman Loeschcke Type I volute lamps, developed during the Augustan period and extensively produced during the 1st century AD. Loeschcke Type I B is generally dated from the Late Augustan to Early Flavian periods. �
Getty +1
The attribution to the I B group is based on the preserved morphology, particularly the flat shoulder with concentric grooves, raised ring base and surviving elements of the voluted nozzle. Because the terminal part of the nozzle is missing, the precise subtype should be regarded as a typological attribution rather than an absolute classification.
Comparable typology: Jean Bussière & Birgitta Lindros Wohl, Ancient Lamps in the J. Paul Getty Museum, J. Paul Getty Museum, 2017, Loeschcke Type I B, cats. 85–118.
Getty
Getty Museum — Loeschcke Type I B catalogue
Ancient Rome – Early Imperial Terracotta Volute Oil Lamp with Scallop-Shell Decoration – Loeschcke Type I B – 1st Century AD
Roman Empire, Early Imperial Period
Circa 1st century AD, probably Claudian–Flavian period
Roman mould-made terracotta oil lamp belonging to the family of early Imperial volute lamps, attributable to Loeschcke Type I B (Bailey Type A).
The lamp has a deep rounded body with a clearly defined raised ring base. The upper surface is dominated by a large concave discus decorated in relief with a stylised scallop shell (pecten), formed by a series of pronounced radiating ribs. The filling hole is positioned in the lower part of the shell decoration.
Several fine concentric grooves frame the discus and separate it from the narrow shoulder.
At the front are the surviving portions of the original volute nozzle, which is now incomplete. The preserved symmetrical relief elements on either side of the nozzle are consistent with the characteristic volutes of early Imperial Loeschcke Type I lamps.
The nozzle itself is anciently damaged, with substantial loss of its terminal portion and wick-hole area.
The underside has a well-defined raised circular foot. No maker's mark or inscription is visible.
The surface preserves attractive reddish-brown tones together with greyish deposits and areas of alteration consistent with age and burial.
Dimensions:
Length: 89.9 mm
Maximum diameter: 67.7 mm
Weight: 59.28 g
Condition: Fragmentary but substantially preserved. The terminal portion of the nozzle and wick-hole are missing. Surface wear, deposits and minor abrasions consistent with age. The shell decoration remains clearly legible. Please refer carefully to the photographs for the condition.
Typology and dating
The morphology belongs to the widespread family of Roman Loeschcke Type I volute lamps, developed during the Augustan period and extensively produced during the 1st century AD. Loeschcke Type I B is generally dated from the Late Augustan to Early Flavian periods. �
Getty +1
The attribution to the I B group is based on the preserved morphology, particularly the flat shoulder with concentric grooves, raised ring base and surviving elements of the voluted nozzle. Because the terminal part of the nozzle is missing, the precise subtype should be regarded as a typological attribution rather than an absolute classification.
Comparable typology: Jean Bussière & Birgitta Lindros Wohl, Ancient Lamps in the J. Paul Getty Museum, J. Paul Getty Museum, 2017, Loeschcke Type I B, cats. 85–118.
Getty
Getty Museum — Loeschcke Type I B catalogue
Details
Culture
Roman Empire, Early Imperial Period
Century/timeframe
Circa 1st century AD
Name of object
Oil Lamp with Scallop-Shell Decoration
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2026
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
France
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1970
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
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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.
