Ancient Roman Picture lamp with Isis and Serapis - 118 mm
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Current bid
€ 60
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 350 - € 430
 | €60 | |
|---|---|---|
| €55 | |
| €50 | |
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Roman terracotta oil lamp with Isis and Serapis, dating to the 1st–2nd century AD, in good condition and assembled from several fragments; dimensions 118 × 85 × 48 mm; provenance North Africa; authentic original.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp from North Africa with a figurative depiction of the Egyptian-Roman deities Isis and Serapis, Roman imperial period, 1st–2nd century AD.
The lamp, made of a reddish-beige clay, has a rounded body with a relieved discus, protruding snout with wick opening, and a high-arched handle. On the discus are the busts of Isis on the left and Serapis on the right, arranged antithetically. The two deities were among the most important representatives of the Egyptian cults in the Roman Empire. The central filling hole lies between and below the busts.
Remnants of a reddish surface coating or engobe are preserved, especially on the discus. Comparable lamps depicting Isis and Serapis are known from Roman North Africa; similar North African-Roman specimens have also been offered on Catawiki.
Material: Terracotta, reddish-beige clay
Dimensions: 118 × 85 × 48 mm
Dating: 1st–2nd century AD
Origin: North Africa
Literature / Comparison:
E.-M. Cahn-Klaiber, Die antiken Tonlampen des Archäologischen Instituts der Universität Tübingen (1977), No. 308.
Condition:
Assembled from several fragments. Cracks and minor losses
Provenance:
Acquired in 2026 from a German art dealer; previously, since before 2000, in the private collection H. L., Rhineland
Invoice is available and will be provided to the buyer in copy.
Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp from North Africa with a figurative depiction of the Egyptian-Roman deities Isis and Serapis, Roman imperial period, 1st–2nd century AD.
The lamp, made of a reddish-beige clay, has a rounded body with a relieved discus, protruding snout with wick opening, and a high-arched handle. On the discus are the busts of Isis on the left and Serapis on the right, arranged antithetically. The two deities were among the most important representatives of the Egyptian cults in the Roman Empire. The central filling hole lies between and below the busts.
Remnants of a reddish surface coating or engobe are preserved, especially on the discus. Comparable lamps depicting Isis and Serapis are known from Roman North Africa; similar North African-Roman specimens have also been offered on Catawiki.
Material: Terracotta, reddish-beige clay
Dimensions: 118 × 85 × 48 mm
Dating: 1st–2nd century AD
Origin: North Africa
Literature / Comparison:
E.-M. Cahn-Klaiber, Die antiken Tonlampen des Archäologischen Instituts der Universität Tübingen (1977), No. 308.
Condition:
Assembled from several fragments. Cracks and minor losses
Provenance:
Acquired in 2026 from a German art dealer; previously, since before 2000, in the private collection H. L., Rhineland
Invoice is available and will be provided to the buyer in copy.
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
1. - 2. Jh. n. Chr.
Name of object
Picture lamp with Isis and Serapis
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2026
Country acquired from
Germany
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
118 mm
Previous owner - year acquired
1999
Width
85 mm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Germany
Depth
48 mm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
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