Roman North African Oil Lamp with a Crouching Lion

$347.52

An Ancient Roman redware oil lamp from North Africa, most likely Tunisia. The central discus depicts a maned lion, crouching on its forepaws. The shoulders are decorated with  geometric rosettes and concentric circles. A solid lug handle sits at the rear, used for holding. The base of the lamp features a low ring base. There are two fillings holes within the discus.

Date: Circa 4th – 5th century AD
Provenance: From the collection of Arno Jumpertz, Leverkusen, Germany, 1924-1984. Much of the collection was exhibited at the Neus Museum, 1985.
Condition: Very fine; repair to the nozzle.

SOLD

SKU: AH-587 Category: Tags: , ,

The lion was an animal frequently depicted on oil lamps. Within later antiquity as Christianity became the favoured religion the depiction of a lion referred specifically to St Mark, who was known as the ‘the Lionhearted’.

Weight 170 g
Dimensions L 14.2 x W 7.6 x H 5.1 cm
Culture

Pottery and Porcelain

Region

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