A ROMAN TERRACOTTA OIL LAMP

CIRCA 2ND CENTURY A.D.

Details

A ROMAN TERRACOTTA OIL LAMP
circa 2nd century a.d.
With a small round nozzle and ring handle, the discus framed by a leafy fillet, molded with a beastiality scene involving a donkey and a woman, the donkey approaching her from behind, standing on his hind legs, his fore-legs on the arch of her back, his head reaching to the back of her neck, the woman kneeling before him, leaning forward with her weight on her elbows
4.1/8 in. (10.5 cm.) long

Provenance

Galerie Naag, Zurich

Sale room notice

The correct provenance for this lot is Burton Y. Berry

Lot Essay

This scene may be considered in relation to stories such as Apuleius' Golden Ass, in which the protagonist is metamorphosed into an ass. Included in his adventures as an ass, the protagonist is forced by his human lover to perform sexual acts in public with a condemned murderess.