ITEM: Amphora
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Roman, North Africa
PERIOD: 3rd - 4th Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 143 mm x 105 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex French private archeological collection in Saint-Germain en Laye of a Jewish affluent family

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

During the 3rd and 4th centuries AD, Roman pottery production in North Africa flourished, particularly in regions such as modern-day Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya. This period coincided with the height of the Roman Empire's influence in the region, and pottery played a crucial role in both domestic life and trade networks. Among the notable types of pottery produced during this time were the little amphoras, which were small-scale versions of the larger amphorae commonly used for transporting goods such as wine, oil, and grain.

Little amphoras from Roman North Africa were typically crafted from local clay and varied in size and shape depending on their intended use. While larger amphorae were primarily employed for bulk transportation and storage, little amphoras served a more diverse range of functions. They were utilized in household settings for storing and transporting liquids, such as oil or wine, as well as for preserving and transporting other commodities like sauces, spices, and even perfumes. Their diminutive size made them convenient for everyday use in both urban and rural contexts.

The production of little amphoras in Roman North Africa reflects the region's integration into broader Mediterranean trade networks during the Roman period. These vessels were not only produced for local consumption but were also exported to other regions of the empire, contributing to the exchange of goods and cultural influences across the Mediterranean world.