Roman cooking pot, Type 'Kedera'

ITEM: Cooking pot, Type 'Kedera'
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 165 mm x 185 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex Jerusalem private collection, acquired between 1970 - 1980

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.

The Roman kedera, a type of cooking pot, was a staple of ancient Roman kitchens and is notable for its practicality and durability. The kedera was generally made of coarseware ceramics, chosen for its heat resistance, which allowed for consistent cooking over an open flame. This pot had a rounded body with a wide opening, often featuring two small handles on either side for easy lifting and maneuvering. The design of the kedera made it ideal for boiling, stewing, and slow-cooking, as the shape evenly distributed heat and could withstand the long cooking times needed for many Roman dishes. Its broad rim also allowed for a lid to be placed on top, helping to retain heat and moisture, which was essential for cooking hearty meals.

This type of pot was used to prepare a variety of staple Roman dishes, particularly stews and pottages, which often included grains, vegetables, and sometimes meat or fish. The kedera was favored for its capacity to handle large quantities of food, making it ideal for feeding families or larger gatherings. In Roman cuisine, which relied heavily on dishes that could be cooked over a steady flame, the kedera was indispensable. It was also portable, allowing it to be used both in domestic kitchens and in temporary camps or communal gatherings, reflecting the versatility needed for Roman cooking practices. Recipes such as puls, a porridge made from grain and legumes, or various vegetable stews with herbs and spices, could be made in these pots, highlighting the pot’s essential role in the diet of both the lower and upper classes.

Archaeologically, kederai have been found throughout the former Roman Empire, from domestic sites to military camps, indicating their widespread use and cultural importance. Many excavated examples bear the marks of frequent use, such as soot stains and wear, demonstrating their role as kitchen workhorses in Roman households. The discovery of these pots in diverse contexts underscores the cultural unity within the empire, as similar cooking practices were shared across various regions.