Roman plate

ITEM: Plate
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st - 3rd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 45 mm x 220 mm diameter
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex German private collection, 2015, acquired from German art market

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.

Roman pottery was an essential part of daily life in the Roman world, produced in vast quantities between the Republican period (5th–1st century BCE) and the Late Empire (5th century CE). It included a wide range of forms, from fine tableware to coarse kitchen vessels and large storage containers. One of the most famous types is Terra Sigillata, a red-gloss, mass-produced ceramic that originated in Italy but later saw major production centers in Gaul, Hispania, and North Africa. These vessels, often decorated with stamped or molded relief patterns, were used for dining and were traded across the empire. The widespread distribution of Terra Sigillata highlights the efficiency of Roman pottery production and trade networks.

In addition to fine tableware, Roman utilitarian pottery was crucial for everyday activities such as cooking, food storage, and transportation. Large amphorae were used for shipping wine, olive oil, and garum (fermented fish sauce), with distinctive shapes and markings that help archaeologists trace trade routes. Coarse wares, often locally made, included cooking pots, storage jars, and oil lamps. Different regions developed their own ceramic traditions; for example, black-burnished ware was common in Britain, while North Africa became known for its thin-walled red-slipped pottery in the later empire. The adaptability of Roman potters allowed for both standardized mass production and local variations, demonstrating the empire's economic and cultural diversity.

Roman pottery is a key archaeological resource, as it provides valuable information on trade, economy, and daily life in the empire. The presence of specific types of pottery at sites across Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Near East helps scholars reconstruct trade patterns and cultural influences. Additionally, stamped potter’s marks, inscriptions, and decorative motifs offer insights into production centers and workshop organization.