RARE ROMAN INTAILLE. ZOOMORPHIC OIL LAMP. Nicolo. Dimensions: 1.3 x 1.6 x 0.2 cm Roman art, 2nd century Provenance French private collection, acquired on the art market, before 2000 An intaglio engraved on nicolo — an onyx whose bluish upper layer stands out against a dark background — depicting a Roman oil lamp (lucerna) seen in profile. The handle, raised and curved, ends in a horse’s head (equine protome); a flame rises from the spout. The bowl, surmounted by a disc with a filling button, rests on a foot. In Roman symbolism, the lit lamp evokes light, life and vigilance; the handle featuring an equine protome belongs to a well-documented type of bronze lamp with an animal-shaped handle. The combination of the motif and the nicolo makes this a cabinet intaglio of highly sought-after quality. For a similar intaglio, see the British Museum: a gold ring set with a nicolo intaglio depicting an oil lamp with a swan’s head, 1917,0501.548. (fig. 1) A Rare Roman Nicolo intaglio. Oil lamp with horse protome. 2nd century AD.