RARE ROMAN TERRACOTTA OIL LAMP WITH HERCULES FIGHTING THE NEMEAN LION
Ca. 100-300 AD.
A rare mould-made terracotta oil lamp with concave discus bearing a relief scene of the first of twelve labors of Hercules - killing the Nemean Lion. The shoulder of the lamp is flat, with three concentric circles framing the tondo. A filling hole near the center. The nozzle channel is wide and decorated with volutes on each side. The twelve works of Hercules were a punishment imposed by the Delphic oracle on the hero Heracles for murdering his own family. These tasks were very difficult to accomplish even for a hero. The Nemean lion was a vicious monster, which could not be killed with mortals' weapons because its golden fur was impervious to attack. However, Hercules strangled him to death with his immense strength.
Size: L:105mm / W:77mm ; 95.5g
Provenance: Property of a North London gentleman; previously acquire on the UK/European art market in the 1980s.
Estimate: GBP 300 - 600