Sale: CNG 72, Lot: 2816. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 14 June 2006.  Sold For $700. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

[Oil lamps] ROMAN. North Africa. Pottery redware oil lamp. Circa 350-425 AD. Length 14cm. Mold-formed with pottery appliques on discus and shoulder, the central motif of the three Hebrews before Nebuchadnezzar: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego standing before a pillar with bust of the king, a court official instructing them to bow before it. Shoulder with ten circles (F5), eight volutes. Two vent/fill holes, spur handle. Cf. Ennabili 30. Choice condition, over fired, leaving the clay dark brown rather than red, crack leading from large potstone at side.

From the Dr. Robert B. Beckett Collection. Ex Antiqua IX (2000), Lot A12e.

"King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it."

"Then the herald loudly proclaimed, ‘This is what you are commanded to do, O peoples, nations and men of every language: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.’"

...“At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. ‘... there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego - who pay no attention to you, O king. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.’"

"Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, ‘Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?’"

--Daniel 3:1-15