Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd century CE. A large ceramic oil lamp with an Athena motif in its central discus. The body is round with a short, flat spout, and the shoulder is decorated with a grape cluster and leaf design. Opposite the spout is a ring handle. The base is an incised, flat ring with small abstract symbols that may be makers' marks. Size: 5.3" W x 2.05" H (13.5 cm x 5.2 cm)

Athena stands in profile, chiton draped around her body; she wears her characteristic helmet and holds a speer while one hand reaches towards some fruit resting on a pedestal. The cult of Athena continued in Rome, especially during its earlier periods; the fable of Arachne, for example, who enters an ill-fated weaving contest with the goddess that ends with her turned into a spider, is a late Roman addition to the pantheon of Classical mythology.

Provenance: Ex - Prominent LA County collector who acquired these prior to 2000

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#118241

Repaired from multiple pieces with minor losses, as shown.