Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st century CE. Erotic themes were common on Roman pottery and this is a fantastic example. A mold-made oil lamp with a round bowl and a short spout, the discus has a well-preserved Sapphic scene, with two women on a bed, one on top of the other, both nude. The base is stamped with a maker's mark but it is very difficult to read. Non-mythological erotic scenes were frequent decorations on widely distributed Roman household items like this one; they often had visual puns, like flame coming from underneath the bed. While it may seem surprising to modern viewers, it was very common for Romans to encounter sexual scenes in everyday life; after all, sexual activity was seen as a gift from the goddess Venus rather than something sinful or guilt causing. Size: 3.8" L x 2.7" W x 1.85" H (9.7 cm x 6.9 cm x 4.7 cm)

Provenance: Ex-private Thousand Oaks, CA collection

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#118438

Intact with remaining pigment and little wear.