Ancient Large Stamped Red Platter, Roman North Africa (3185BCA) $485

Description

This large terracotta kiln made piece is a Roman-Empire serving platter in a technique called ARS (African Red Slip). Created in the Roman-North-Africa territory named Africa-Proconsularis, it is a remarkable piece decorated with circular rings with perfect ridges as it was made using a pottery wheel. Its rim is articulated, a white slip or minerals from its burial appear each side while its low wide foot assures its stability. Central stamped palm motifs with detailed fronds alternate with small clusters of circles around the inside, and, as decorative stamps only like this appeared on pottery made only for wealthy Romans of the patrician class. A fine piece for rich Romans, stamps of decorative images do not appear on functional pieces called coarse wares made for the poor. Found in two pieces, the breaks were clean and glued together. There is no other restoration and it is in good condition, especially considering its age and long burial. Large ancient thin pottery platters of this size are rare and, when they are found, they are usually in multiple broken pieces having significant losses.

Sources

Kevin Green, Interpreting the Past, Roman Pottery, Berkeley and Los Angeles, University of California Press, 1992.