The frog was a symbol used in Ancient Egypt to symbolise re-birth. The amphibian was associated with a number of gods, including Ptah – the god of creation. The Ancient Egyptians believed that the frog self-created, emerging from the marshy mud of the Nile as spawn to hatch into tadpoles and later develop into frogs. Frog amulets were thus worn by both the living and the dead. They were placed on mummies to rejuvenate and regenerate, whilst the living wore such amulets to encourage fertility.
Romano-Egyptian Terracotta Frog Lamp
£ 225.00
A terracotta Romano-Egyptian oil lamp with a large, decorated ovoid body. The lamp features one filling hole within its centre and a second burn hole situated within the rounded nozzle. Differing from its Roman counterparts this lamp has particularly thick walls. The lamp is decorated with the crude form of a frog, viewed from a birds-eye-view, with legs splayed. Two palm leaves encircles the frog to form an overall, stylised pattern. The lamp sits upon a ring foot, incised with the letter ‘W’.
Period: Roman Period
Provenance: From a German collection. Ex Cambridge, UK, collection, 1980s.
Condition: Fine condition, the nozzle displays tracings of burning through use.
SOLD
| Weight | 106.2 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | L 8 x W 7.4 cm |
| Culture | |
| Pottery and Porcelain | |
| Region |
