Roman Oil Lamp: Lion and Crocodile

An ancient Roman pottery oil lamp with an image of a lion attacking a crocodile in the center discus, a looped handle and the reverse with potter’s stamp: M NOVIVS T.

Ca. 40 - 100 AD.

Length: 4 1/4 in. (10.5 cm).

M Novius Tiberius was a prolific potter working in North Africa perhaps in the city of Thysdrus, modern El Jem, Tunisia. Pottery bearing this inscription has been found in Tunisia as well as Italy and France.

cf.: D. M. Bailey, A Catalogue of Lamps in the British Museum, Vol. III, Roman Provincial Lamps, (London, 1980), p. 124, Q1683; pl. 65, Q1260.

Formerly in the George R. Francoeur Trust, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, #392.

Inv#: 7728

Guaranteed Authentic

$950