Roman, Imperial period, ca. second half of the 1st century CE. Stamped "L. FABHERAC" on base. A lovely terracotta oil lamp featuring the central relief image of nude Venus - Greek Aphrodite - the Roman goddess of love, sex, and desire in the classic Aphrodite Anadyomene pose after a once-famous painting by Apelles. The stunning beauty stands contrapposto with both hands raised as though ringing out her silky tresses as she rises from the sea, the mythological place of her birth. Her bare body boasts a feminine physique with voluptuous breasts, a slender waist, and wide hips. The oil lamp itself presents a traditional Loeschcke type VIII form with a discoid body, a wicked spout, a petite fill hole in the slight left of the recessed tondo, and a looped handle. The underside of the base is stamped "L. FABHERAC" - a workshop that was active in the second half of the 1st century CE. Size: 4.5" L x 3.2" W x 1.6" H (11.4 cm x 8.1 cm x 4.1 cm)

Published in Christie's New York "Ars Amatoria: The Haddad Family Collection of Ancient and Erotic and Amuletic Art" Thursday 17 December 1998, part of lot 55, page 34.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA; ex-Ancient Objects, Cranston, Rhode Island, USA, December 3, 2022, lot 173; ex-Christie's New York, New York, USA, December 17, 1998, lot 55 (1 of 2); ex-Haddad Family Collection of Erotic Art

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#179802

Workshop stamp on underside of base. Some small chips to handle and nicks and abrasions to surface, all commensurate with age. Areas of fire-darkening to spout. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice remaining detail and rich earthen deposits. Christie's label tied to handle.