后罗马时期／拜占庭早期 Terracotta 晚期罗马陶土油灯 — 公元5世纪至6世纪 — 彼得·克雷顿收藏 - 10.5 cm (没有保留价)

late Roman terracotta oil lamp from earthenware – Asia Minor – 5th–6th century AD – Peter Clayton Collection

Elegant late Roman terracotta oil lamp molded in clay, attributed to the 5th–6th centuries AD, a period corresponding to Late Antiquity and the transition to the Byzantine era.

The lamp features an elongated oval body with heavily cavetto sides, a short spout intended to receive the wick, and a prominent vertical pierced handle, formed like a wide folded loop above the body.

The filling opening is located beneath the handle and surrounded by a circular relief. Small radiating lines develop around this area and toward the spout, forming a geometric or stylized vegetative decoration akin to a rosette or fan.

The morphology of the piece shows interesting parallels among productions of the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly Asia Minor.

A particularly interesting parallel is preserved at the British Museum under inventory number 1856,0826.191, catalog Q3001. The museum dates this lamp to the 5th–6th centuries AD and attributes it to Cyzicus, in Asia Minor. It notably presents an elongated strongly cavetto body, a large applied and folded loop handle, a broad filling opening with a raised edge, and a pointed oval base, features close to the present example.

A second morphological parallel is preserved at the Metropolitan Museum of Art under number 74.51.2139. Dated approximately to the 5th–7th centuries AD, this specimen also has a circular handle, a wide central opening surrounded by a lip, and a strongly cavetto body.

The Metropolitan Museum also preserves lamp 74.51.1858, dated to the 5th–6th centuries, featuring radiating decoration around the central opening, interpreted as a rosette or stylized fan. This proximity is particularly interesting for the decoration preserved on the present lamp.

These comparisons allow proposing an origin in the Eastern Mediterranean, probably Asia Minor, with an interesting proximity to late productions from Cyzicus. However, attribution to a specific workshop cannot be stated with certainty.

The terracotta shows a beautiful orange-red coloration with deposits, small inlays, wear and surface irregularities. The tip of the spout retains significant darkening, possibly corresponding to ancient use with a wick.

The reverse presents a slightly raised oval base as well as an old small inventory label bearing the number 138.

Provenance: Peter Clayton Collection.

The lamp was part of the sale organized by Woolley & Wallis, Salisbury Salerooms, on 20 August 2026.

Dimensions:

Length: 10.4 cm
Width: 7.4 cm
Thickness: 2.4 cm
Weight: 137 grams

Good ancient condition given the age. There are wear, deposits, small irregularities and surface alterations visible in accordance with the photographs.

The detailed photographs form an integral part of the description.

Comparative references:

British Museum – inv. 1856,0826.191 – Cyzicene Roman lamp, 5th–6th century:

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/G_1856-0826-191

Metropolitan Museum of Art – inv. 74.51.2139 – late Roman lamp, 5th–7th century:

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/241692

Metropolitan Museum of Art – inv. 74.51.1858 – Roman lamp, 5th–6th century, radiating decoration:

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/241413