Ancient Roman Pottery Tessera depicting Mercury (No Reserve Price)
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Current bid
€ 15
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
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 Bidder 5555 | €15 | |
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| Bidder 5555 | €10 | |
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A Roman pottery tessera showing Mercury, dating to the second to third century with a good condition and strong provenance from a German private collection, accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity and EU export license.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
ITEM: Tessera depicting Mercury
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 2nd - 3rd century AD
DIMENSIONS: 13 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex German private collection, acquired before 2000s
The term tessera was also applied to small tokens or tiles, often made of ceramic (terracotta or clay), lead, or bronze. These were not seals impressed onto goods like a clay lump, but were themselves stamped objects that served as a form of administrative or commercial ticket. They functioned similarly to modern tokens or chits, used for entry to events, participation in religious festivals (especially in places like Palmyra, where clay tokens were common), or as part of state distribution programs, such as the tesserae frumentariae (tokens for grain).
The clay used for these tokens was fundamentally the same material used in pottery, and their manufacture sometimes mirrored pottery techniques, including firing in a kiln and having detailed, embossed designs on one or both sides. In some cases, the symbols or names found on these commercial tesserae (especially the Tessera Nummularia related to money or weights) have been linked to control marks or stamps found on amphorae and other transport vessels from the Eastern Mediterranean. This overlap suggests that a common administrative system—or at least a shared set of symbols and practices—was used to manage different commercial aspects of Roman life, from identifying pottery workshops to distributing state resources.
While the clay tokens themselves were not the act of sealing a product, they were a tool for commercial verification and control. They were often decorated with imperial portraits, mythological scenes, letters, or geometric patterns. More importantly, some ceramic tokens incorporated private seals or countermarks to prevent counterfeiting, making the object distinct and ensuring its authenticity for the recipient.
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and European Union export license
If you bid outside European Union and win the item, we must request a new export license to your country and the shipment will delay between 3 - 5 weeks.
Seller's Story
Your Antiquarian offers ancient art and ancient coins. Our main objective is to offer the highest quality at the best price respecting and strictly complying with the laws of heritage protection and UNESCO heritage norms. Therefore, all the pieces that are published come from private collections in which the provenance can be checked or international auctions. All our antiquities and coins are accompanied by their Certificate of Authenticity. We have a no quibble 90 day return policy. At Your Antiquarian we are committed to helping disadvantaged groups and for this reason a portion of each purchase is donated to charities to help people in need.
Translated by Google TranslateITEM: Tessera depicting Mercury
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 2nd - 3rd century AD
DIMENSIONS: 13 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex German private collection, acquired before 2000s
The term tessera was also applied to small tokens or tiles, often made of ceramic (terracotta or clay), lead, or bronze. These were not seals impressed onto goods like a clay lump, but were themselves stamped objects that served as a form of administrative or commercial ticket. They functioned similarly to modern tokens or chits, used for entry to events, participation in religious festivals (especially in places like Palmyra, where clay tokens were common), or as part of state distribution programs, such as the tesserae frumentariae (tokens for grain).
The clay used for these tokens was fundamentally the same material used in pottery, and their manufacture sometimes mirrored pottery techniques, including firing in a kiln and having detailed, embossed designs on one or both sides. In some cases, the symbols or names found on these commercial tesserae (especially the Tessera Nummularia related to money or weights) have been linked to control marks or stamps found on amphorae and other transport vessels from the Eastern Mediterranean. This overlap suggests that a common administrative system—or at least a shared set of symbols and practices—was used to manage different commercial aspects of Roman life, from identifying pottery workshops to distributing state resources.
While the clay tokens themselves were not the act of sealing a product, they were a tool for commercial verification and control. They were often decorated with imperial portraits, mythological scenes, letters, or geometric patterns. More importantly, some ceramic tokens incorporated private seals or countermarks to prevent counterfeiting, making the object distinct and ensuring its authenticity for the recipient.
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and European Union export license
If you bid outside European Union and win the item, we must request a new export license to your country and the shipment will delay between 3 - 5 weeks.
Seller's Story
Your Antiquarian offers ancient art and ancient coins. Our main objective is to offer the highest quality at the best price respecting and strictly complying with the laws of heritage protection and UNESCO heritage norms. Therefore, all the pieces that are published come from private collections in which the provenance can be checked or international auctions. All our antiquities and coins are accompanied by their Certificate of Authenticity. We have a no quibble 90 day return policy. At Your Antiquarian we are committed to helping disadvantaged groups and for this reason a portion of each purchase is donated to charities to help people in need.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/ Timeframe
2nd - 3rd century AD
Name of object
Tessera depicting Mercury
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Pottery
Country acquired from
Germany
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
2000
Previous owner - country acquired from
Germany
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
