Lot 420: ROMAN EMPIRE. Circa 1st century AD. Bronze Oil Lamp

Offered is a spectacular classical Roman oil lamp belonging to the 1st century AD with a pear-shaped body and a broad rounded end that tapers in and then sharply outwards towards where it intersects with a smaller rounded head, depicting the head of a Roman God or Goddess on the handle, in superb condition and exceptional realistic details in the rendering of the face and hair. The sill of the lamp is beautifully crafted and thins in proportion with the taper while also blending in a seamless bevel with the recessed top of the oil lamp. A filling hole in shape of a grape bunch is incised through the center of the smaller head; a teardrop-shaped orifice marks the center of the main body of the lamp. A circular base over which the weight of the lamp is concentrated is situated underneath.

This fabulous ancient oil lamp is embellished with a stunning natural fine dark green and reddish patina. It is a one-of-a-kind in its class for its rare large size and extreme fine quality.

The following are the dimensions of the ancient Roman bronze oil lamp:

Width: 10 inches or 25 cm; Height: 6 inches or 15 cm; Depth: 4 inches or 10 cm. Weight: 1624 grams.