Ancient Roman Terracotta Jar with Handles (No Reserve Price)
03
days
06
hours
37
minutes
41
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
No bids placed
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 121899 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Ancient Roman terracotta jar with two pierced lug-handles, dating from circa 1st–3rd century, in good condition, height 12.5 cm and width 10 cm, provenance Ex S.M private collection, London, acquired in 2000.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
A fine Ancient Roman terracotta pot with handles. The vessel featuring a piriform body, that tapers in at the neck, leading to a wide mouth with an everted rim. The body rests on a flat, slightly concave base. Reddish pigment covers the lower part of the body and the base. Horizontal wheel-marks cover the surface of the pot. Two pierced lug-handles have been attached to the sides of the vessel at the shoulder. Some earthly encrustations remain on the surface and chipping to the base. Slight pitting to the surface, consistent with the age of the piece.
Roman pottery was used for utilitarian purposes and widely produced throughout the empire in specialised workshops. This led to the development of distinctive forms, blending local and Roman decorative traditions and production styles. A broad division between ‘coarse’ and ‘fine’ ware is normally used to classify the wide range of Roman vessels; the former being used for storage and transportation purposes, the latter comprising serving vessels or tableware with intricate relief or painted decorations. Fine wares were used for more formal occasions and can be distinguished by their thin walls and glossy surface. Coarse wares usually had thicker walls to withstand rough use in kitchens and other areas. They were cheaper items and had plain surfaces. Slaves and those in poverty would usually only be able to afford coarse for their table ware instead of fine wares.
Measurements: H 12.5cm X W 10cm
Provenance: Ex S.M private collection, London, acquired by descent 1970-99.
N.B. Delivery may be longer due to the busier period and we do not guarantee delivery before Christmas. Items paid for after the 19th December will be shipped after the New Year (week commencing on the 5th January 2026). **There will be an additional fee incurred for returned shipments due to buyer’s non-response to customs enquiries and/or unsuccessful delivery attempts.**
Seller's Story
N.B: TAXES & VAT ARE NOT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SHIPPING COSTS. INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY TIME SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE.
ANTIQUITIES: All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity, including the item's description, image and provenance. Please also note, for insurance purposes, an item's value cannot be under- declared. All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiquities over 100 years old and their valued price.
Liability and the applicable Customs Regulations or Import Requirements in the country of your destination are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We cannot be held responsible for any delays occurred by Custom Procedures. Import Tax or payable VAT depends on the Country of your destination. Payments of any taxes or any dispute with Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please note that from the 1st of January 2021, as Britain will officially leave the EU, artefacts dispatched to any European country might have to go through Customs Procedures and fees.
Watches: Watches are provided with a hard cardboard box and pillow as shown in the images.
The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot.
The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged.
The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
A fine Ancient Roman terracotta pot with handles. The vessel featuring a piriform body, that tapers in at the neck, leading to a wide mouth with an everted rim. The body rests on a flat, slightly concave base. Reddish pigment covers the lower part of the body and the base. Horizontal wheel-marks cover the surface of the pot. Two pierced lug-handles have been attached to the sides of the vessel at the shoulder. Some earthly encrustations remain on the surface and chipping to the base. Slight pitting to the surface, consistent with the age of the piece.
Roman pottery was used for utilitarian purposes and widely produced throughout the empire in specialised workshops. This led to the development of distinctive forms, blending local and Roman decorative traditions and production styles. A broad division between ‘coarse’ and ‘fine’ ware is normally used to classify the wide range of Roman vessels; the former being used for storage and transportation purposes, the latter comprising serving vessels or tableware with intricate relief or painted decorations. Fine wares were used for more formal occasions and can be distinguished by their thin walls and glossy surface. Coarse wares usually had thicker walls to withstand rough use in kitchens and other areas. They were cheaper items and had plain surfaces. Slaves and those in poverty would usually only be able to afford coarse for their table ware instead of fine wares.
Measurements: H 12.5cm X W 10cm
Provenance: Ex S.M private collection, London, acquired by descent 1970-99.
N.B. Delivery may be longer due to the busier period and we do not guarantee delivery before Christmas. Items paid for after the 19th December will be shipped after the New Year (week commencing on the 5th January 2026). **There will be an additional fee incurred for returned shipments due to buyer’s non-response to customs enquiries and/or unsuccessful delivery attempts.**
Seller's Story
N.B: TAXES & VAT ARE NOT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SHIPPING COSTS. INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY TIME SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE.
ANTIQUITIES: All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity, including the item's description, image and provenance. Please also note, for insurance purposes, an item's value cannot be under- declared. All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiquities over 100 years old and their valued price.
Liability and the applicable Customs Regulations or Import Requirements in the country of your destination are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We cannot be held responsible for any delays occurred by Custom Procedures. Import Tax or payable VAT depends on the Country of your destination. Payments of any taxes or any dispute with Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please note that from the 1st of January 2021, as Britain will officially leave the EU, artefacts dispatched to any European country might have to go through Customs Procedures and fees.
Watches: Watches are provided with a hard cardboard box and pillow as shown in the images.
The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot.
The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged.
The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/ Timeframe
Circa 1st-3rd Century
Name of object
Jar with Handles
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2000
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
Unknown
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1990
Previous owner - country acquired from
Unknown
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.
