Rare Roman Gypsum Lamp Mould with Judaica Christian Iconography – Art for Eternity

Circa 4th to 6th Century AD An important and better than average mold, probably depicting a bearded male bust (deity) atop an eight arm menorah, flanked by doves carrying grapes and the stylized image of a fish below the base of the menorah. Around the central subject is an ornamental band containing concentric circles
Circa 4th to 6th Century AD An important and better than average mold, probably depicting a bearded male bust (deity) atop an eight arm menorah, flanked by doves carrying grapes and the stylized image of a fish below the base of the menorah. Around the central subject is an ornamental band containing concentric circles and triangular designs. Four circular depressions characteristic of these molds appear along the rim functioning as alignment markers to allow the tops and the bottoms of the lamp to go together without great effort. Size: 7-3/4 inches L. x 5-1/4 inch W. + modern cast. Pottery lamps were used through out the Holy land and Mediterranean. It was the primary means of lighting and molds were utilized for mass production. Compare similar examples in Carthage: A Mosaic of Ancient Tunisia, Edited by Aicha Ben Abed Ben Khader and David Soren. Ex Prominent NY collector Daryl G. Kulok. acq 2000s. If it can be established that the Deity atop the menorah is in fact Christ (and it looks like him!) then it shows an early and clear link between Judaism and Christianity making this mold a very important work of art! 

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