Lot 36
**Originally Listed At $300**
Ancient Near East, Early Byzantine Empire, ca. 3rd to 5th century CE. A luminous relic of early Christian ritual, this ancient glass oil lamp shimmers with the celestial hues of time. Once a translucent olive green, the vessel is now entirely transformed by centuries of iridescence, the result of chemical weathering that imbues the surface with a prismatic sheen of silvers, blues, violets, and earthy tones. The form is simple yet elegant - a shallow conical bowl rising from a pointed base, its rim subtly flared and delicately folded inward to stabilize the flickering flame of a suspended wick. Such lamps would have illuminated domestic shrines or monastic chambers, casting soft halos of light during prayer or sacred recitation. Size: 6.8" L x 6.4" W x 4" H (17.3 cm x 16.3 cm x 10.2 cm)
The glass was formed through free-blowing, a technique that flourished in Late Antiquity, and was likely held aloft by a trifoil or wire support. Over time, the object's original transparency gave way to a kaleidoscopic patina, evoking the Byzantine fascination with divine radiance and the light of the soul. Though humble in scale, the lamp embodies a spiritual grandeur, bridging material function and sacred symbolism. It is a quiet vessel from a once radiant interior - now fossilized light.
Provenance: Collection of Y. Kayvan, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired from a Los Angeles, California, USA gallery acquisition dates range from the late 1990s to 2005
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#193974
- Condition: Small chip to base, but otherwise intact and excellent with rich weathering film and iridescence throughout.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 + | $500 |