Roman North Africa, Imperial Period, ca. late 4th to 5th century CE. A remarkable find, this richly ornamented and fantastically preserved gypsum tool served as the mold for the top half of an ancient oil lamp in Imperial Roman North Africa. Enveloped by two semi-circles of a hand carved double-braided design ending on the left side with a square containing the Chi-Rho (the symbol of Roman Emperor Constantine), the upraised central tondo features an intricately detailed profile of a bust in composite. Due to his elaborately decorated breastplate consisting of several striped and dotted registers, straight hair shown via repeated incised lines, and thin lightly engraved a laurel crown, this figure was clearly of regal nobility. His wide eyes and large nose signify that he was not only regal, but likely Emperor Constantine the Great, who converted the Roman Empire to Christianity, or one of his Christian successors. A fabulous utilitarian example from a watershed moment in Western Civilization! Size: 8" L x 5.75" W x 2" H (20.3 cm x 14.6 cm x 5.1 cm)

Provenance: ex Estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA acquired before 2000

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#158000

Intact, with normal signs of wear commensurate with age and use. Beautifully preserved motifs and light encrustation on surface.