Late Roman/Early Byzantine Terracotta オイルランプ

16
days
20
hours
48
minutes
18
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Peter Reynaers
Expert
Estimate € 430 - € 500
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Late Roman / Early Byzantine terracotta oil lamp, 130.2 × 80.8 mm, with elongated oval body and circular discus showing a central deer, shoulders with four-leaf floral decorations, a solid top handle, and a ringed foot; in good condition with partial restoration of the grip, some sand encrustations and wear appropriate to age; authenticity certificate available on request.

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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.

A fine late Roman terracotta oil lamp featuring an elongated oval body with a circular discus, decorated with a central deer, flanked by two filling holes. The shoulders of the lamp are decorated on both sides with a series of 4 leaves clover / floral decorations. At the top of the lamp there is a solid handle which is flattened at both sides. The lamp sits on a ringed foot.

± 130,2 x 80,8 mm
Condition: Good and solid condition, grip partially restored. Very nice representation of the deer with fine detail. Some encrustations of sand. Signs of wear consistent with an ancient artefact.

Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).


-> Clay lamps were first developed in the Bronze Age, initially designed as open bowl-like vessels. Over time, they evolved into more enclosed forms to prevent oil spills and were crafted using various methods: hand moulding, wheel throwing, and mould production.

The use of moulds for lamp-making became prominent during the Hellenistic period (323–31 BCE). Lamps were typically created with two-piece moulds, forming the lamp's upper and lower sections. The top mould often included intricate relief designs that were imprinted onto the clay. This method sped up production and also allowed to add more decoration to the surface of the clay.

Oil lamps were particularly popular in the Mediterranean region, where olive oil was abundant and served as an efficient fuel source. Other plant-based oils and animal fats may also have been used. To light the lamps, wicks made from materials like plant fibers, papyrus, or linen were inserted.

Beyond domestic use, oil lamps illuminated various settings. They were essential at Roman festivals, in the vast interiors of temples and religious sanctuaries, and in dark spaces like catacombs. In ancient Rome, lamps were sometimes offered as votive gifts to deities. Additionally, they served as grave goods in tombs, symbolizing light for the afterlife.

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.

A fine late Roman terracotta oil lamp featuring an elongated oval body with a circular discus, decorated with a central deer, flanked by two filling holes. The shoulders of the lamp are decorated on both sides with a series of 4 leaves clover / floral decorations. At the top of the lamp there is a solid handle which is flattened at both sides. The lamp sits on a ringed foot.

± 130,2 x 80,8 mm
Condition: Good and solid condition, grip partially restored. Very nice representation of the deer with fine detail. Some encrustations of sand. Signs of wear consistent with an ancient artefact.

Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).


-> Clay lamps were first developed in the Bronze Age, initially designed as open bowl-like vessels. Over time, they evolved into more enclosed forms to prevent oil spills and were crafted using various methods: hand moulding, wheel throwing, and mould production.

The use of moulds for lamp-making became prominent during the Hellenistic period (323–31 BCE). Lamps were typically created with two-piece moulds, forming the lamp's upper and lower sections. The top mould often included intricate relief designs that were imprinted onto the clay. This method sped up production and also allowed to add more decoration to the surface of the clay.

Oil lamps were particularly popular in the Mediterranean region, where olive oil was abundant and served as an efficient fuel source. Other plant-based oils and animal fats may also have been used. To light the lamps, wicks made from materials like plant fibers, papyrus, or linen were inserted.

Beyond domestic use, oil lamps illuminated various settings. They were essential at Roman festivals, in the vast interiors of temples and religious sanctuaries, and in dark spaces like catacombs. In ancient Rome, lamps were sometimes offered as votive gifts to deities. Additionally, they served as grave goods in tombs, symbolizing light for the afterlife.

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

文化
Late Roman/Early Byzantine
世紀/年代
5th - 6th century AD
商品名
Oil Lamp
取得先
Antique market
取得年
2025
素材
Terracotta
取得国
Netherlands
コンディション
Good
前所有者の取得先
Antique market
前所有者 - 取得年
2025
前所有者 - 取得国
Netherlands
この商品を合法的に取得し、販売する権利があることを保証します
はい'
Authenticity
Original/official
オランダVerified
9507
Objects sold
100%
protop

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.

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