ROMAN TERRACOTTA OIL LAMP WITH AN EROTIC SCENE

Ca. 1-100 AD
A Loeschcke VIII type terracotta oil lamp boasting a captivating erotic scene adorning the sunken tondo. A kneeling man is depicted holding up the leg of his female lover who reclines on a bed. The scene is enclosed within a circumferential relief decoration on the shoulder. The lamp also features a small round spout at the front and a loop handle at the rear, both serving functional purposes in the lamp's use. The depiction of erotic scenes on Roman oil lamps was a common theme, often used to add an element of intrigue and sensuality to the lamp's appearance. For a similar iconography, see The J. Paul Getty Museum, inventory number 83.AQ.377.541.
Size: L:120mm / W:90mm ; 150g
Provenance: Property of a London Ancient Art gallery, formerly acquired in Monaco.
Estimate: GBP 600 - 900