**Originally Listed At $125**

Eastern Roman Empire, Imperial Period, Anatolian (modern-day Turkey), ca. 1st to 4th century CE. A mold-made terracotta oil-burning vessel of unusual form and with hand-carved designs. The lamp has a raised circular base, smooth sides, rounded shoulders with indentations at regular intervals, a thin and high-arched applied handle, a wide fill hole with three surrounding ventilation holes, a lengthy neck channel, and a curious wick spout. The unusual form of this vessel resembles a snake, with incised scale designs around the shoulders and sides, a long muscular neck (channel), and a stylized head with round eyes and mouth. The wick spout, rather than out the mouth, is formed from the top of the snake's head and is perhaps representative of the snakes Hercules killed as an infant. Size: 5" L x 2.625" W x 2" H (12.7 cm x 6.7 cm x 5.1 cm).

Provenance: private Schroeder collection, Boca Raton, Florida, USA, acquired before 1970

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#123962

Handle reattached using adhesive. Surface wear commensurate with age, with earthen and mineral deposits throughout.