Lot 988
Lamp with Cupid Standing Amidst Weapons. Roman Empire, Italy, Augustan Period. Round bodied lamp, with spatulate mouth and volute neck, no handle, and dark brown to red slip. Cupid stands left, regarding a helmet, with square shield and sword with large pommel at his feet. Maker's mark underneath: FAVSTI in one line. Sharp -- showing slight wear, but most of slip remains. For related motif, cf. BMC III Q3260; but note Anawati Lamps, C100 (bizarrely described), there the helmet in Cupid's hands clearly gladitorial. Length: 3-13/16". Rare.
Estimated Value $575 - 675.
Perhaps a gladitorial theme -- Cupid examining the arms of a "Thraex," or he could be regarding the arms of Mars, with whom his mother (Venus) often dallied. The lamp maker Faustus worked in Italy during the time of Augustus, but then appears to have emigrated to Petra, in Syria, afterwards.
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