222 - Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp with Chain and Chi Rho. Ex Christie's, New York, 2011

Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp with Chain and Chi Rho. Ex Christie's, New York, 2011 Circa 5th-6th century A.D. With a carinated, round body and long, narrow nozzle with a flaring finial, a scalloped rim around the circular wick hole; small circular filling hole with a hinged, domed lid; the elaborate trumpet-shaped handle with a hexagonal lotus flower finial with knops, and a raised Chi Rho at the forward edge; looped suspension chain with a hook, and a square socket at the base to accommodate a stand pricket. Cf. similar specimens in Morigi Govi, Vitali, D. (eds.), Il Museo Civico Archeologico di Bologna, Imola, 1982, p.209; Dalton, O.M., A guide to the Early Christian and Byzantine Antiquities, London, 1903, p.20, fig.15; Bailey, D.M., A catalogue of the lamps in the British Museum, IV, Lamps of metal and stone, and lampstands, London, 1996, no.Q3834; for the general shape see Vermeule, C.C., Comstock, M.B., Sculpture in stone and bronze, Boston, 1988, no.113. Exhibited at the Harwich Museum, Harwich, Essex, UK, 4th March 2026-7th June 2026; accompanied by a copy of a photograph of the artefacts on display. 1.08 kg, 40 cm (15 3/4 in.). [A video of this lot is available to view on TimeLine Auctions Website] (For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price.) Private collection, Stortford, England, 1982. with Christie's, New York, 9 June 2011, no.203. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13194-250130. These lamps were produced in the Eastern Mediterranean, possibly in more than one centre (one was certainly in Syracuse, Benevento, another probably in Asia Minor, but some specimens come from Rome and Constantinople). TimeLine Auctions follows a rigorous vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists. See our website for more information.