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THBRoman Bronze Oil Lamp with Leaping Lion - ex-Bonhams
Lot 73
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$8,000 - $12,000
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Bid Increments
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|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Feb 21, 2019
Set Reminder
2019-02-21 10:00:00
2019-02-21 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-3858
An important one-day auction featuring museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
An important one-day auction featuring museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (472)
- Lot Description
Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd century CE. An elegant, cast bronze oil lamp with an elongated body with a magnificent lion-head finial on the handle - the wild feline presenting an expressive, dramatically roaring face. The lamp body has a single-tiered central depression with three round holes in its center; the body stands on a round, flared foot and ends in a long spout, giving the lamp an almost phallic appearance when viewed from above. In the classical world, lions symbolized power, wealth, and might. They were famously featured in many ancient myths, perhaps the most famous being that of Hercules (Herakles) slaying the Nemean lion for his first labor. Lions were also favorite iconography for buildings, coins, and statues. Size: 6.05" W x 3.75" H (15.4 cm x 9.5 cm)
Oil lamps such as this were filled with olive oil, had a wick placed inside the spout, and were used to light homes, shops, holy places, and many other locations throughout the Roman world. Oil lamps were certainly among the most ubiquitous objects in antiquity; however, finely crafted examples like this one were more unusual. Despite the prevalence of terracotta lamps, bronze oil lamps are among some of the rarest artifacts to come from the Roman Empire. Their scarcity, however, is a reminder of how everyday life would have been for the people who used them. Bronze examples like this were only affordable to upper class households due to the inherent cost and time associated with the processing, refinement, and ultimately casting of bronze. This particular example is much finer than the average, with its meticulous attention to detail and sturdy composition, and was probably created for and belonged to a member of the Roman elite who would have passed it down as a family heirloom.
Provenance: private Florida, USA collection; purchased 04/26/01, Bonhams & Brooks, Lot 792
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#143400Slightly dented nozzle & re-attached handle, otherwise in very good condition, with the lion particularly well preserved. Smooth, rich green patina on surface.Condition
- Shipping Info
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