Ancient Roman Picture lamp with Isis and Serapis - 118 mm
03
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Current bid
€ 35
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 350 - € 430
 | €35 | |
|---|---|---|
| €4 | |
 | €3 | |
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Roman terracotta oil lamp from North Africa, titled "Bildlampe mit Isis und Serapis", dating to the 1st–2nd century AD, with a rounded body, disk, protruding snout and wick opening, showing Isis left and Serapis right on the disk, in good condition and original authenticity, dimensions 118 × 85 × 48 mm, provenance including acquisition in 2026 from a German auction house and prior private collection.
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 reddish-beige clay, has a rounded body with a recessed disc, an extending snout with the wick opening, and a high-arched handle. On the disc are antithetically arranged busts of Isis on the left and Serapis on the right. The two deities were among the most important figures of Egyptian cults in the Roman Empire. Between and below the busts lies the central filling hole.
Remains of a reddish surface finish or engobe are preserved, especially on the disc. 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, The Ancient Clay Lamps of the Archaeological Institute of the University of Tübingen (1977), No. 308.
Condition:
Assembled from several fragments. Cracks and small losses
Provenance:
Acquired in 2026 from the German art trade, previously since before 2000 in private collection H. L., Rhineland
Invoice available and will be provided to the buyer as a 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 reddish-beige clay, has a rounded body with a recessed disc, an extending snout with the wick opening, and a high-arched handle. On the disc are antithetically arranged busts of Isis on the left and Serapis on the right. The two deities were among the most important figures of Egyptian cults in the Roman Empire. Between and below the busts lies the central filling hole.
Remains of a reddish surface finish or engobe are preserved, especially on the disc. 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, The Ancient Clay Lamps of the Archaeological Institute of the University of Tübingen (1977), No. 308.
Condition:
Assembled from several fragments. Cracks and small losses
Provenance:
Acquired in 2026 from the German art trade, previously since before 2000 in private collection H. L., Rhineland
Invoice available and will be provided to the buyer as a 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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