Roman, Imperial Period, ca. early to mid 1st century CE. A mold-made, ceramic oil lamp of a simple round form with a projecting, ornate spout, and no handle. In the discus is a relief image that may be Sol Invictus, the sun god, in a quadriga, a chariot driven by four horses (three of whom are clearly visible here, the fourth perhaps omitted for reasons of space). The god's cult came from the Near East but spread into the Roman Empire with imperial patronage; symbolism like this is part of the cult of Mithras that was found throughout the most expansive periods of the Empire from Roman Britain (a temple to Mithras can still be seen in the modern City of London) to its eastern coasts. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the sun god was a common theme for an oil lamp. With a fine aged appearance and slight silvery sheen of patina. Size: 3.8" L x 2.75" W x 0.7" H (9.7 cm x 7 cm x 1.8 cm)

Provenance: private Orange County, California, USA collection acquired before 2000

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#131737

Tiny chip from rim, otherwise in excellent condition, with clear motif and a faint sheen of patina. Light surface wear commensurate with age.