Description:

Roman, Imperial period, ca. late 1st century CE. A remarkable and quite rare bronze oil lamp in the form of a left foot wearing an elaborate sandal known as a trochas. The hallux toe rests on the upturned, acanthus-covered nozzle, while the fill hole is covered by a hinged lid at the ankle with a nesting bird serving as the knob. A ring-form handle protrudes from the back of the heel topped by a knobbed, foliate thumb rest, and a suspension loop is featured at the front of the ankle. A stunning example that brings a whole new meaning to the term "light-footed"! Size: 5.6" L x 1.5" W x 3.2" H (14.2 cm x 3.8 cm x 8.1 cm)

One of the classical protective images adapted by Christians was the foot, a symbol of good health and healing. These lamps were lit by an oil-soaked wick, inserted through the hole beside the foot’s big toe. Round flat hanging lamps, or polycandela, were lit by oil-filled glass vessels hung from the round holes in their designs. Paul the Silentiary in 563 described the effect of huge hanging lamps that lit the great church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople: "Thus is everything clothed in beauty… no words are sufficient to describe the illumination in the evening: you might say that some nocturnal sun filled the majestic church with light."

A nearly identical Roman bronze oil lamp in the form of a foot hammered $9,375 (now equivalent to $13,460.64 due to inflation) at Christie's New York on June 4th, 2008 (Live Auction 2007, lot #252).

Provenance: private Cedaredge, Colorado, USA collection, acquired 2024; ex-private California, USA collection

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#187807

  • Condition: Age-expected surface wear as shown. Suspension ring may have been added at a later date. Otherwise, intact and excellent with good remaining detail. Beautiful green patina with areas of azure.

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August 16, 2024 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000