Roman Figural Redware Fragment
Circa 4th century A.D. Displaying figures at a banquet (symposium) in relief, reclining on couches and being attended by servants; a centaur on the right; repaired. Cf. Francis, J., ‘Late Roman C Ware/Phocean Red Slip Pottery from the Cilicia Survey Project (Misis) Turkey’ in Gürtekin-Demir, R.G., Cevizo?lu H., Polat Y. and Polat G., Keramos, Ceramics: a cultural approach, Izimir, 2001, pp.73-82, figs.3a-3b, p.271.358 grams, 30 cm (11 3/4 in.). Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection. Possibly part of a flanged rectangular vessel, like some specimens found in Cilicia. The presence of a centaur in the scene could evoke the famous mythological fable of the centaurs at the banquet of the Lapiths, when the latter, together with the Athenian hero Theseus, offended by the immoral behaviour of the centaurs who had attempted to kidnap the women, slaughtered them all. [No Reserve]