C. 2nd-3rd century AD

A nice Roman oil lamp decorated with Mercury holding a caduceus and wearing a winged petasos (hat) and a chlamys (cloak) over his left arm, and riding a goat. It has a single grooved handle with a heart shaped nozzle and ovolo decoration to shoulder, with three palms fronds to base within incised concentric circles.

Mercury, patron God of travellers and traders and was the inventor of the arts.

Intact with good detail.

Ref: Lampes Antiques by H. Dejean,planche 98.

Provenance: Ex Oxford Gentleman’s Collection, acquired over forty years.

Size: 104mm length