Ancient Earthenware Carinated Flagon with Handle, Roman North Africa (3188BOB)

Description

This is an excellent example of an ancient earthenware wheel made carinated flagon. Carinated is describes pieces whose lower and upper bodies slope in opposite directions and meet to form a visible edge around the entire vessel. This one has a very low profile curving up to a tall neck, a strap handle and a flaring rim. Functional pouring-vessels were locally made in a  ceramics production center in the Roman-North-Africa territory called Africa-Proconsularis. Classified as coarse wares, they were covered with a slip to enhance their appearance and lessen leakage. They were also used to make offerings to domestic deities at home  shrines, while special ones with fine decorations were made for the rich. In very good condition for its age and probable burial, it has earth and mineral adherants, minor scrapes and cracks, slip losses and other expected signs of wear but is a fine example of ancient Roman-Empire pottery.

Sources

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

Potsherd Atlas of Roman Pottery, North African Red Slip Ware, www/potsherd.net