Ancient Pottery

Of all the material remains recovered by archaeologists, the most abundant is pottery – the first synthetic material created by humans. Pottery is a general term defined as objects made of clay fashioned into shapes, dried into a leather-hard state and then fired to permanently change the clay’s moleculat structure so that they hardened and survived over time. Early civilizations used clay earthenware and terracotta vessels to store, prepare and serve food; hold perfume and precious oils; ship commodities; burn oil for light; contain or function as votive offerings; and help settle and satisfy the dead in their comfortable afterlife.

  • Sale! SOLD Ancient Terracotta Platter with Stamped Designs, Roman North Africa (3186)

    SOLD Ancient Terracotta Platter with Stamped Designs, Roman North Africa (3186)

    Original price was: $465.00.Current price is: $365.00.
    H: 1.625” Dia: 10.125” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    A fine ancient Roman platter produced for upper classes, this is refined and delicate and has stamped decorative images in complex circles.  Although rough areas with small losses remain, it is an ancient piece otherwise in very good condition that, especially considering its age and use, remains a remarkable surviving piece of history.

  • Sale! SOLD Brick Tile of 2 Wéiqí Board Game Players (3346BKE) China

    SOLD Brick Tile of 2 Wéiqí Board Game Players (3346BKE) China

    Original price was: $495.00.Current price is: $300.00.

    H: 11” W: 9.5” D: 2” | SOLD

    As part of the The Song dynasty cultural expansion, government and public buildings and tombs were built with interior walls decorated with earthenware unglazed mold-made brick tiles. This fanciful vibrant tile with a scalloped frame portrays two people playing a board game called wéiqí which originated in China over 2500 years ago. It is the world’s oldest and most complex board game still played.

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