Bronze oil lamp with two spouts. The griffin's head holds th - Lot 3

Bronze oil lamp with two spouts. The griffin's head holds the apple of temptation in its beak; it is surmounted by a cross and the dove of the Holy Spirit, symbolizing victory over Evil; the ends of the beaks are shaped like eight-pointed stars. Italy, Rome, 4th/6th century H. 16 cm - L. 21 cm (minor casting defects) Similar models with one beak are held in public collections, including the British Museum (inv. 1897, 0820.1) and the Museo Civico Amedeo Lia in La Spezia (inv. B258). Provenance : - Former Dresse de Lébioles collection, Belgium, 1950s-1960s Works consulted: - C. Avery, Sculture, Bronzetti, plachette, medaglie, Museo Civico Amedeo Lia de la Spezia, Silviana Editoriale, 1998, cat.17, p 60 and 61. - Exhibition London, Byzantium 330 - 1453, Royal Academy of Arts, R. Cormack and M. Vassilaki, cat. 220.