Roman, Imperial Period, ca. late 2nd to early 4th century CE. A superb bronze oil lamp of a humongous size that was cast via the lost wax (cire perdue) technique. The circular vessel rests upon a flared foot and has a shallow oil basin surrounded by a gaping fill hole, raised rings around the shoulder and interior rim, a pair of rosettes protruding from the neck base, and a narrow wick spout flanked with a pair of curved volutes. The back of the lamp suggests it once boasted an intricate handle with a pair of protruding nodules, perhaps of a similar floral fashion as the rosettes, and the broad fill hole suggests it was at one time covered by a form-fitting lid. Layers of mottled green and brown patina cover all surfaces of this sizable lamp. Size: 8.8" L x 6.375" W (22.4 cm x 16.2 cm); 8.6" H (21.8 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Zaveloff collection, Lakewood, New Jersey, USA, acquired from Venus Gallery, Israel, in 2002

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#155823

Light adhesive residue along back of shoulder from old handle repair. Loss to original handle and lid as shown. Abrasions and light encrustations to foot, body, fill hole rim, and wick spout, with one stable fissure on foot, and softening to some finer details. Nice earthen deposits and great patina throughout.