Early Christian Oil Lamp with Fish

Culture: Egyptian/Panopolis

Period: 4th-5th century A.D.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 10.5 cm long

Price: Sold

Ref: 7049

Provenance: According to the old collection label from the estate of the Swiss archaeologist, collector, and art dealer Robert Forrer (1866-1947). Thence auctioned with Lempertz in November 1969, lot 505. Last in the Gerald Ebinger collection, Vienna, Austria.

Condition: Intact

Description: Relatively heavy oil lamp of reddish-brown clay with a massive, rounded snout. On the shoulder are dots and circles decoration pressed into the clay, a fish is depicted on the mirror to the left with a raised tail. Above and below the fish a pouring hole. At the centre back a deepened thumb support. According to the enclosed old note the lamp was found by the Swiss archaeologist, collector, and art dealer Robert Forrer (1866-1947) in Panopolis, today Akhmim in Upper Egypt.