Late Roman / Christian oil lamp depicting a lion, Type Bussière E IX 31 - Atlante X A1 a

Late Roman / Christian oil lamp depicting a lion, Type Bussière E IX 31 - Atlante X A1 a
ITEM: Oil lamp depicting a lion, Type Bussière E IX 31 - Atlante X A1 a
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Late Roman, Christian
PERIOD: 5th - 7th Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 50 mm x 70 mm x 115 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex French private collection, acquired between 1970 - 1990

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

Christian oil lamps, primarily dating from the late Roman period into the Byzantine era, played a dual role in both practical illumination and religious symbolism. These lamps were often simple in design, reflecting the modest roots of early Christianity. Made typically of clay or metal, they had small, flat bodies with one or two nozzles where wicks could be inserted, and they were fueled by olive oil. As Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire, Christian iconography began to appear on these lamps, with motifs like crosses, fish, doves, and other symbols representing faith and the promise of salvation. These lamps were used in Christian households, places of worship, and even catacombs, where they provided light and carried symbolic meaning, illuminating spaces as well as representing spiritual enlightenment.

The decoration of Christian oil lamps varied widely depending on the time and region. Early examples often used simpler motifs, but as Christianity became more widely accepted, the symbols on these lamps grew more elaborate and distinctively Christian. In the Byzantine period, for instance, lamps might display scenes from biblical stories, the Chi-Rho (a symbol for Christ), or other sacred imagery. Archaeological finds of these lamps in churches and graves underscore their spiritual role, often being placed with the deceased as symbols of hope and eternal life. These lamps helped Christians subtly express their faith, especially in the pre-Constantinian period when they faced persecution.

Christian oil lamps also reflected the evolving role of religious art and worship in Christian communities. Beyond functional lighting, these lamps served as teaching tools for the illiterate, using symbols to communicate complex theological concepts.

Measurement:	7 x 5 cm
Depth:	11.5 cm