A few comments on the lamp:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360044350306
It is perhaps a little ominous to see it described as "Ancient Greek/South Italian oil lamp 450-350 BC". The lamp was clearly made in a mould - yet lamps were not made in moulds until a century later and they were very simple affairs, nothing remotely like this.
Just a misattribution or is this lamp a fake?
Well, it can be said that this lamp is neither a fake nor a reproduction. It is not a fake since fakes are meant to deceive and only a severely myopic two-year-old could believe even for a second that this item is ancient. It is not a reproduction since it does not reproduce any real lamp from the ancient world.
The lamp is simply an old tourist souvenir and it is pure fantasy. Its shape is roughly based on Roman lamps of the 2nd-4th centuries AD but its design appears to have been loosely inspired by the well-known Apulian fish plates of the 4th century BC. That would account for the incongrous black glaze (which seems to have largely rubbed off).
"Stunning museum quality of a very rare type oil lamp"
I should think these were actually quite common in Greek or Italian souvenir/gift shops around the 1970s or so - and I'm not sure which museum displays things like that.
David K.
--- In Ancientartifacts@yahoogroups.com, "tuppennyblue" <tim@...> wrote:
>
> It was the 'Roman Oil Lamp' 360044350306 which was first drawn to the attention of the group a few days ago. The seller's honesty was not brought into question. I queried whether the seller was a group member at the time since he promotes ancientartifacts in his listings. I hope this matter can be amicably resolved.
>
> Tim
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ingeborg Waanders
> To: Ancientartifacts@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 4:44 PM
> Subject: Re: [Ancientartifacts] Walpole
>
>
>
> Hi Ernie,
>
> I googled for the name and found this LA listing:
>
> Robert J Walpole Law Offices
> 100 N Brand Blvd #200
> Glendale
> Los Angeles county
> California
> Phone number: 818-241-5931
>
> Also had a look at his items. I can't give a good comment on his stock, but the wooden boat woman looks awkward and out of style. Besides, weren't it usually boat-men? Can't remember ever seeing a woman in that context. Then again, it's not really something I ever seriously delved into.
>
> Goodluck working this out anyway.
> Cheers,
> Ingeborg
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ernie Krumbein
> To: Ancientartifacts@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 4:33 PM
> Subject: [Ancientartifacts] Please help
>
>
> I received a phone call this evening from a man (who had to tell me four times that he was an attorney) complaining about my inclusion on the "dealers to avoid" list of a seller on eBay by the name of CATO90025. I still believe some of his listings of Egyptian articles are very suspect.
> Will a few of you kindly take a look at his offerings and let me know what you think?
> Thank you very much.
> Ernie Krumbein
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG.
> Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.6/1404 - Release Date: 29/04/2008 18:27
>
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe
__,_._,___
