Ancient Terracotta Jar, Roman North Africa (3195A-DAE)

Description

This small earthenware terracotta jarlet resembling a Greek oenochoe was made using a potter’s wheel, fired in a kiln, and is one of many pouring-vessels used throughout the Roman Empire. Influenced by Greek wares and made in Roman-North-Africa ceramic centers in the region called Africa-Proconsularis, these were made of clay, have little decoration, and are covered with a beige or white slip that fired to a color dependant on firing temperatures and the slip color. Known as Roman Coarse Wares, these functional-and-utilitarian jars were made for daily use for ordinary people and rarely had stamped designs. Designs, if any, were usually confined to simple linear decorations or patterns etched on the surface while object turned on the wheel such as the ribbing here. Made without frills for durability, a slip made it less porous. It likely fell in the kiln, as one side is a but flat and lost some ribbing making its stance is slightly askew.