Artemission logo
Menu
  • Categories

    Near East

    Egypt

    • • Egyptian Faience
    • • Egyptian Shabtis
    • • Scarabs

    Central Asia

    Greek

    • • Cyprus

    Roman

    Etruscan

    Byzantine

    Europe/Medieval

    • • Celtic

    Viking

    Islamic Art

    Jewellery

    Cylinder Seals

    Seals

    Cuneiform & Tablets

    Oil Lamps

    Manuscripts

    Ancient Glass

    Weapons

  • About Us
  • Customer Feedback
  • Contact Us
    • Register
    • Log in
      Forgot your password?
  • Home
  • Home
  • Item Detail

Roman Small Terracotta Oil Lamp with Theatre Mask of Silenus, c. 2nd century B.C./1st century A.D.

(Miniature Oil Lamp)

Back
Item No.
33.37192
Culture
Roman, c. 2nd century B.C./1st century A.D. 
Item Details.
Hollow-formed with long nozzle extending from the fleshy mouth, crown of foliage, smaller nozzle and filler-hole to the brow, raised ring to the base, a theatre mask or face of Silenus.
Lamps with figurines first appeared in the Hellenistic period, possibly originating in Athens. Found in all parts of the Mediterranean basin, they were particularly popular during the first and second centuries A.D. The Silenus face types were linked to the Bacchic cult. The crown of leaves and fruit across the forehead alludes to Bacchus or one of his followers.

Provenance: Acquired 1960s-1990s. From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
Literature: Cf. Bussière, J., Lindros Wohl, B., Ancient Lamps in the J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, 2017, p.435 and 440, nos.594, 602-603, for similar specimens.

Size
7.2 cm L - 2 13/16 inches
Material
Terracotta 
Condition
Intact 
Categories
Oil Lamps
Price.
US$ 900
This item is now only available for viewing.
Email an enquiry about this item Print this page
  • New Additions
  • Near East
  • Egypt
  • Central Asia
  • Greek
  • Roman
  • Etruscan
  • Byzantine
  • Europe/Medieval
  • Viking
  • Islamic Art
  • Jewellery
  • Cylinder Seals
  • Seals
  • Cuneiform & Tablets
  • Oil Lamps
  • Manuscripts
  • Ancient Glass
  • Weapons

Orders & Payments

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
info@artemission.com
AIAD logo

©2025 Atticart Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Privacy Policy