Soapstone Oil Lamp with Really Small Fount: Ceremonial?

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by wlwhittier, Jun 30, 2024.

  1. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    He is ~4 3/4" long, ~2 1/2" wide, ~1 3/8" thick; he weighs ~10.3 oz.
    Do any of you folks recognize the figure, or the style? I call it soapstone, as it's soft...but the color is a deep brownish-green (pic 4) an' the feel of it is silky, both of which may be a result of oil diffusing into the stone over time. The fount is only ~9/16" diameter by ~11/16" deep...so it wouldn't be able to burn for long. That leads me to ask about the potentially ceremonial nature of the lamp. The figure has a faintly biblical look to him, for me anyway.
    He may well be a one-off, unique on the planet...but I hope y'all can say different. Thanks for lookin'!

    P1410717.jpeg P1410718.jpeg P1410719.jpeg P1410720.jpeg P1410721.jpeg
     
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  2. Marote

    Marote Well-Known Member

    With Google Lens you'll find similar oil lamps. Didn't find any info regarding the figure yet, but they all indicate Byzantine/Syrian origin.
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2024
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  3. Marote

    Marote Well-Known Member

  4. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    Looks like a pharaoh to me, with the horns of Ammon at his feet.
     
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  5. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Good! Thanks, Marote!
     
    Marote likes this.
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