Ancient Roman Flat-Globule Oil Lamp - Type 'Warzenlamp' (No reserve price)
13
days
07
hours
44
minutes
49
seconds
Current bid
€ 78
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 160 - € 200
 | €78 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €69 | |
| €64 | |
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This original Ancient Roman flat-globule terracotta oil lamp, or Warzenlamp, dates to the 3rd–4th century AD and features rows of raised globules on its shoulder, a loop handle and traces of red slip.
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.
Late Roman mould-made terracotta oil lamp of the so-called fat-globule type, classified as Bailey Type R. The deep, plain concave discus contains a central filling hole and a deliberately formed narrow slit-shaped air hole near the nozzle, surrounded by several finely moulded concentric rings. Its broad, rounded shoulder is richly decorated with multiple rows of closely spaced raised globules.
At the front is a short, rounded nozzle with a large wick hole, while the rear carries a prominent upright loop handle with a broad central opening. The underside is finished with a raised circular base ring. Made from reddish terracotta and retaining areas of its original red surface slip.
Length: ± 96 mm
Diameter: ± 66.4 mm
Condition: Restored. Surface wear, mineral deposits and minor chips consistent with age. Traces of soot and dark discolouration remain around the wick hole, indicating ancient use.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Fat-globule lamps or 'Warzenlampen' were produced during the later Roman Imperial period, principally from the late 3rd to the early 5th century AD. Their name derives from the rows of raised globules decorating the broad shoulder. They are characterised by a rounded body, a relatively small or deeply recessed discus, a short nozzle and a substantial pierced handle.
Examples have been recovered from domestic, funerary and early Christian contexts, including the catacombs around Rome. The type gradually disappeared as African Red Slip lamps became increasingly widespread.
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.
Late Roman mould-made terracotta oil lamp of the so-called fat-globule type, classified as Bailey Type R. The deep, plain concave discus contains a central filling hole and a deliberately formed narrow slit-shaped air hole near the nozzle, surrounded by several finely moulded concentric rings. Its broad, rounded shoulder is richly decorated with multiple rows of closely spaced raised globules.
At the front is a short, rounded nozzle with a large wick hole, while the rear carries a prominent upright loop handle with a broad central opening. The underside is finished with a raised circular base ring. Made from reddish terracotta and retaining areas of its original red surface slip.
Length: ± 96 mm
Diameter: ± 66.4 mm
Condition: Restored. Surface wear, mineral deposits and minor chips consistent with age. Traces of soot and dark discolouration remain around the wick hole, indicating ancient use.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Fat-globule lamps or 'Warzenlampen' were produced during the later Roman Imperial period, principally from the late 3rd to the early 5th century AD. Their name derives from the rows of raised globules decorating the broad shoulder. They are characterised by a rounded body, a relatively small or deeply recessed discus, a short nozzle and a substantial pierced handle.
Examples have been recovered from domestic, funerary and early Christian contexts, including the catacombs around Rome. The type gradually disappeared as African Red Slip lamps became increasingly widespread.
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 Roman
Century/timeframe
3rd-4th century AD
Name of object
Flat-Globule Oil Lamp - Type 'Warzenlamp'
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Year acquired
2026
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Dealer at a fair
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
