1st-2nd century AD. A terracotta oil lamp shaped as a head of a comic actor wearing a mask of a satyr or slave; thick hair, knit eyebrows, small holes for eyes, large open mouth with typical striated band around it, suggesting a beard; leaf-shaped handle ornament with large looped plain ring behind; short round-tipped volute-nozzle; flat oval base marked off by oval groove. See Bussière, J., Lindros Wohl, B., Ancient Lamps in the J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, 2017, p.435. 240 grams total, 12cm including stand (4 3/4"). From the private collection of Antony John Scammell (1937-2019); acquired from Dick Meijer Antiquiteiten, Amsterdam, Netherlands, in 2014; previously in a private collection from the north of the Netherlands; collected between 1950-1990; accompanied by the original certificate of authenticity. Such lamps with figurines first appear in the Hellenistic period possibly originating in Athens. Found in all parts of the Mediterranean basin, they were particularly popular during the first and second centuries A.D. Egyptian and Italian workshops seem especially strong. In the fourth century, partly due to growing Christian influence, many types of these artefacts disappeared. Antony John Scammell (1937-2019) was born, and lived his entire life, in the city of Bristol, England. Already from an early age he was enthralled by history and the heroes that it created. While serving overseas with the British Army, Antony began collecting coins and banknotes and this led to collecting a variety of different items throughout his life. From the early 1960s onward, Antony invested in acquiring ancient artefacts. Antony's vast collections started with Egyptian antiquities, but soon branched into Greek and Roman civilisations. The Roman civilisation fascinated him most and, when family commitments allowed, archaeological digs were coordinated in the west of England. These digs uncovered numerous artefacts, many of which were donated to local museums. In retirement, the collecting continued apace, branching into UK coins, British Empire banknotes and fossils.