ROMAN BRONZE FOOT IN A SANDAL OIL LAMP
Ca. 100-200 AD.
A beautiful cast-bronze oil lamp in the shape of a right foot wearing a sandal. The lamp has two openings, each finely detailed with foliate designs. The handle of the lamp is in the form of an acanthus leaf, with a ring at the bottom, and the spout and neck are decorated in the form of buds.​ The hole where a wick would be placed protrudes beside the foot's big toe. The hole for filling runs through the hollow ankle. The presence of two small loops might suggest, that this lamp was designed for suspension. This type of lamp was widespread in the first two centuries AD. It is likely that they were associated with the Eastern cult of Serapis, and it is no coincidence that this type of lampstand was popular among the legionaries positioned on the outskirts of the Empire, who were among the first to adopt and then spread the cults of Eastern deities among the population of the Roman Empire. Item comes with a professional historical report from Ancient Report Specialists. For a similar example, see Christie's, Live Auction 2007, Antiquities, 4 Jun 2008, Lot 252. Scientific sources : cf. Siegfried Loeschcke, Lampen aus Vindonissa, Zurich (1919), pl. XXIII:1084-1085, p. 161F for a discussion; Bailey, Donald M. A Catalogue of the Lamps in the British Museum, IV, Lamps of Metal, and Stone, and Lampstands. London: British Museum Press, 1996.
Size: L:50mm / W:165mm ; 410g
Provenance: Property of an European collector; bought from a UK gentleman collection, formed in the 1960s-1990s.
Estimate: GBP 7500 - 15000