ostracon ancient art
catalogue

Roman Lamp Fragment with Young Satyr, 25-75 BC

Discus fragment of a lamp decorated with the half-figure of a satyr holding a thyrsus and blowing a flute. The youthful figure wears a deer skin with the hooves of the animal knotted behind his shoulder.

Rare depiction. Detailed rendering of the head and the anatomical details. Covered with an orange-brown slip.

For a related example, cf. Q3250 in the British Museum database.

According to Bailey, the lamp was probably designed as a pair together with Q3292, which shows a maenad blowing into a kind of bagpipe. Lamp fragment Q3292 is stylistically close to our piece and dated to 25-75 AD.

Fragmentary, excellent quality and condition. Glued on a wooden board.

H. 8.4 cm (3.3 in)
Board 18 cm (7.1 in) x 14.5 cm (5.7 in)

Swiss private collection formed 1970-2015.

480 USD
 

Literature:
Donald M. Bailey. A Catalogue of the Lamps in the British Museum. Vol. 3. Roman Provincial Lamps. London 1988.
Christa Farka. Die römischen Lampen vom Magdalensberg. Klagenfurt 1977.