Description:

Roman North Africa, Imperial Period, ca. late 4th to 5th century CE. A fascinating and rare ancient object, a gypsum mold for creating the top portion of a ceramic oil lamp, bearing the bust of an empress, perhaps Fausta (ca. 289 to 326 CE), in the slightly impressed discus. The shoulder is adorned with palmettes and rosettes. The deep groove at the back is for the raised handle. Four indentations around the edge allowed the mold to be separated. Size: 6.75" L x 5" W x 1.75" H (17.1 cm x 12.7 cm x 4.4 cm)

Compare with a similar lamp in H. Dejean, Lampes antiques (2012) PI. 176, M768.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-private C.O. collection, Lugano, Switzerland, acquired in 1980

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#143336

  • Condition: Intact, with signs of wear on surface. Beautifully preserved motifs and light encrustation on surface.

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February 6, 2019 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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