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.
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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.
This piece was created in Roman North Africa for domestic use and also exported elsewhere in the empire. As the poor could only afford practical objects, potters made many functional objects using inexpensive long-lasting materials. Its body is tapered and unadorned with the exception of horizontal ribbing under the slip and it was likely wheel made. Heavily potted for durability, the curved handle is attached from the rim to halfway down the body. In very good condition, intact and without restoration, it has expected mineral deposits, minor slip losses and some darkening of the slipped surface.
An amphora is Greek jar with a single or double handle 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.
This small juglet has a globular body, a round base, a very short neck, a wide mouth and short handles on each side. Like other Second Temple Period (circa 597-300BCE) made pieces were functional wares covered with a black slip and burnished. Small juglets like this “…were finished to a higher quality and were used for cosmetics and scented oils [and perfumes and ointments].” (Frank) This piece is intact, in good condition and a genuine piece from ancient history. There are two chips on the mouth rim, body dents, and burnish losses, all expected for its age and longer than two millennia old burial.
Source
Tom Frank, “Imagining the Past: Archeology and the Bible: a juglet to anoint,” September, 2014.
This ancient pottery juglet was hand-made, has a globular body, a round base and a short neck flaring into a triangular mouth and its circular handle runs from its mouth to the shoulder. The body was covered with a black slip and burnished. Small utilitarian, functional items used during Biblical times were “…finished to a higher quality and… used for cosmetics and scented oils [i.e., perfumes}.” (Frank). This piece is in good condition, has expected dents, losses and adherents consistent with its age, and parts of the neck, mouth, rim and handle may have been damaged during burial and restored.
Sources
Tom Frank, “Imagining the Past: Archeology and the Bible: a juglet to anoint,” (Sept 2014),
This Roman ceramic flagon with high vertical sides is a uniquely shaped vessel used to store and pour potable liquids. a crème slipped carinated jug with a high profile and a trefoil pouring spout, it has a strap handle attached from the carinated edge to just below the rim for easy handling. Expected age markers include minor scrapes, slip losses and a chip, earth and mineral adherants and white deposits underneath. Otherwise, it is in excellent condition for its burial and is without cracks, repairs or restorations.
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 fertility symbols and protectors of the young.
This figure is Harpocrates the Greek god of silence, confidentiality and secrets holding a jar. 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.
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.
This ancient Judean vessel created during Israel’s Biblical Period was hand shaped using the coil method. It has a globular body, flat bottom, short neck, outward flared mouth and small handles with an uneven colored surface resulting from its pit-firing. Made to hold potable liquids, cooking oil or other food items, it has scrapes, minor chips, white adherences in the clay and a thin chip with a pinhole penetration through its bottom, all expected for an ancient Bronze Age vessel. This is a rather sophisticated piece given its 5000 year old age,
This very attractive Biblical Period terracotta wine jug is fairly rare because of its difficult chances of survival. Made in the Judea Holy Land, it has a tall globular body and a downward sloped shoulder ending together in a distinctive carinated edge running around its top. It rests on a low foot that adds to its visually striking profile.
This ancient serving plate is remarkable for its graceful simplicity. It has fine circular ring designs creating clean ridges, and it is known as ARS (African Red Slip). There are central decorative stamped images of palms with detailed fronds alternating with small circlar clusters. Its rim is articulated, a white slip or minerals from its burial appear each side while its low wide foot assures its stability. Recovered in two pieces, the break was clean, the parts reglued and it has no other restoration. It is in good condition for its age and burial and is an interesting example of surviving ancient Roman art. 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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