Eastern Roman art, ca. 2nd - 3rd century. A light terracotta oil lamp featuring a round body with a recessed tondo, which depicts busts of the iconic figures of Isis and Serapis facing each other. The figures are finely detailed, with delicate lines and carefully rendered features. The filling hole and air vent located between the two deities are practical elements of the lamp, incorporating seamlessly into the overall design, adding to the symmetry and balance of the piece. The shoulders of the lamp are decorated with a hatch pattern, the loop handle is located at the rear, and the expertly crafted roundish nozzle protrudes at the front. Isis was an Egyptian goddess associated with fertility, motherhood, and magic, while Serapis was a syncretic deity that combined aspects of Greek and Egyptian religion. The depiction of these two figures on the lamp reflects the syncretism that characterized the religious practices of the Roman Empire, where different cultural and religious traditions were blended and adapted.Size: L:150mm / W:115mm ; 185gProvenance: Property of a London Ancient Art gallery, formerly acquired in Monaco.