Terracotta

Terracotta pottery is fired at similar temperatures as earthenware but is unglazed firing to brownish red/red color. Ancient Romans produced many terracotta types in Italy and Roman African Provinces (Proconsularis) from 146BCE – 698 CE fired at 800 to 1200 degrees. Most Roman terracotta pieces were utilitarian simple unadorned everyday pieces, some with etched or stamped designs. In India terracotta pottery has been significant in cultural, religious and artistic traditions for centuries. Terracotta images are considered spiritual, mystical and auspicious as Hindus believe terracotta incorporates the five natural elements of air, fire, earth, water and metal and has been use for votive statues and religious items.

Showing 1–12 of 17 results

  • Ancient Terracotta Oenochoe (Wine Jug), Roman North Africa (3197A-UOM) $275

    $275.00
    H: 4.5”  W: 3”  D: 2.75” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This small wine jug was created in a Roman North Africa production center for domestic use and exported elsewhere in the empire. As the poor could only afford practical objects, potters made many functional objects using inexpensive long-lasting materials.

  • Ancient Biblical Holy Land Amphoriskos, Judea (1934VHE) $425

    $425.00
    H: 5.75”  W: 3.375” | FREE SHIPPING!

    An amphora is Greek jar with a single or double handles made in a variety of sizes and copied by all ancient Mediterranean trading nations. This amphoriskos, literally a “small amphora,” has a stunning profile and one handle but is top heavy and cannot stand without support. It dates from the time of the Holy Land during the first Jewish Biblical Period in Judea circa the 8th to 6th century BCE, a ancient time from which few pieces survive intact.

  • Ancient Harpocrates Figurine, Roman Empire, Alexandria (1844BHK) $395

    $395.00
    Ht: 6.5”  W: 2.625”  D: 1.75” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This figure is Harpocrates the Greek god of silence, confidentiality and secrets holding a jar and was made using a bivalve-mould. The iconography hints at a royal and temple cult, as he wears a double crown symbolizing both Upper and Lower Egypt. A royal emblem showing an association with the contemporary king, in Egypt royals with crowns were a manifestation of the Egyptian god Horus. Small white specks are all that remains of the slip and colorful paints covering it. Missing part of his right side when excavated, there are no repairs and it is mounted on a stand. Given its age, the image is in good condition with normal scrapes and cracks found in pieces of this age.

     

  • Ancient Holy Land Biblical Period Perfume Juglet, Judea (1786EOE) $395

    $395.00
    H: 4”   Dia: 2.75″ | FREE SHIPPING!

    This pottery Judean juglet was made during the Biblical Period in the Holy Land and used to hold perfume or other costly items. Its upper body tapers inward to a narrow neck to limit its pouring rate and conserve its contents. Covered with slip to lessen leakage and improve their appearance, these were used throughout the Roman Empire.

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

    $485.00
    H: 2.25”  Dia: 14.5″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This ancient serving plate is remarkable for its survival, size, stamped designs and graceful simplicity. It is known as ARS (African Red Slip). Platters of this size are rare and, when they are found, they are usually in multiple broken pieces that have significant losses.

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  • Ancient Lekanis Dish, Magna Graecia (3247BHK) $575

    $575.00
    H: 3.625”  Dia: 3.5″ | FREE SHIPPING!

    This diminutive but very elegant piece is a lekanis, a lid-covered dish originating in Greece embraced by artisans from Apulia in Magna Graecia in Southern Italy who adapted this form in their Xenon wares in the 6th century BCE. This terracotta lidded bowl is covered with pale matte salmon decorations over a black glazed body, a bowl highlighted with decorative meandering bands. Fathers in ancient times filled these bowls with small items of adornment and gave them to their daughters as a wedding gift, which would be a delightful tradition to uphold today.

  • Ancient Pottery Woman with Child, Roman Empire, Alexandria (1845BHK) $395

    $395.00
    Ht: 6.75”  W: 3”  D: 2” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This Roman Egyptian figurine from Alexandria of a woman holding a young child is a Kourotrophos, a class of god and goddess figures holding infants or children. Referred to as child nurturers, these were revered deities, cult figures and mortals who were also fertility symbols and protectors of the young. Mother and child figures like this are universal and appear known in disparate cultures throughout the world.

     

  • Ancient Red Terracotta Flask, Roman North Africa (3182BAC) $525

    $525.00
    Ht: 7”  W: 4.875”  D: 4” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This thin-walled ancient Roman vessel is a beautiful work of art. Its has a delicate piriform (pear-shaped) body and fine relief designs of a rosette, lion and palm leaves surround it.

     

  • Ancient Terracotta Beaker, Roman North Africa (3195B-PLK) $325

    $325.00
    H: 2.675”  W: 3” | FREE SHIPPING!

    An uncomplicated ancient earthenware cup wih no handle, this rests on a short foot. Its body curves upand rises to meet a neck topped with an everted rim to lessen spillage  It has a wide mouth for easy drinking, and the rim two-tones: a slight terracotta red and its crème slip. Its shape is exquisite. Although there are expected minor chips and scratches, earth adherents and minor losses of the slip, it is in excellent condition, beautiful in its simplicity and one of our favorite pieces in the VA collection.

  • Antique Majapahit Miniature Terracotta Head, Indonesia (1137EHA) $195

    $195.00
    Ht: 2.75”  W: 1.375”  D: 1.125” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This terracotta head was crafted during the Majapahit Empire in Java and was either part of a bas-relief frieze or made as a freestanding figurine. Most figures found are small decapitated heads with no bodies, and it is very rare to find a complete figure with a naturalistic facial expression. As with many heads, this one displays Javanese facial features, hairstyles and ear ornamentation typical of the period. It has a naturalistic facial expression and wears large round coiled earrings, possibly suggesting it represented someone of the upper classes. It is in very good condition given its age and use and is mounted on a metal stand. This item pairs with Majapahit Miniature Terracotta 1138.

     

     

  • Antique Majapahit Miniature Terracotta Head, Indonesia (1138EHA) $195

    $195.00
    Ht: 4”  W: 1.5”  D: 1.75” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This terracotta head was crafted during the Majapahit Empire in Java and was either part of a Hindu bas-relief frieze or made as a freestanding figurine. Most figures found are small decapitated heads with no bodies, and it is very rare to find a complete figure with a naturalistic facial expression. As with many heads, this one displays Javanese facial features, hairstyles and ear ornamentation typical of the period. It has a naturalistic facial expression and wears large round coiled earrings, possibly suggesting it represented someone of the upper classes. It is in very good condition given its age and use and is mounted on a metal stand. This items pairs with Majapahit Terracotta Head 1137.

     

     

  • SOLD Ancient Catacomb Terracotta Oil Lamp, Roman Empire (1885A-WAR)

    $155.00
    SOLD

    This Roman catacomb terracotta oil lamp is a basic, undecorated, and functional lamp beautiful in its simplicity. It is a well moulded piece with a finely rounded circular body, a short raised rim surrounding the fill hole centered in the middle, and has a hand made spatulate nozzle added to its body. The nozzle extends out with flat angular ridges and a wide opening to accommodate the wick which extends from inside the lamp,through the nozzle, and then reaches over its edge. It has no handle but, like all such lamps, it has a flat bottom to rest comfortably and securely on any surface.  Much of the original crème slip on this lamp remains and has turned a brownish-beige from the soil in which it was buried underground. There are minor chips the rim atop the fuel chamber and projecting nozzle and is otherwise is very good condition.

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