Ancient Roman Terracotta wine beaker - 65 mm

"Ancient Roman Terracotta Wine Beaker

Culture / Period: Ancient Roman
Date / Period: 1st–2nd Century A.D.
Material: Terracotta
Dimensions: 65 mm
Condition: Good condition

No shipping outside the European Union. Due to complex export regulations concerning cultural goods, this item cannot be shipped outside the EU. Please ensure you have a delivery address within the European Union before placing a bid.

Provenance information:
Object Registration ID: 160

The current owner purchased this Ancient Roman Terracotta Wine Beaker from a private collector, V.P., in Grave, the Netherlands.

The previous owner, a private collector from Grave, stated that the beaker had been part of his collection since 1989.

According to the previous owner, the object had previously been in a private collection in the Netherlands before 1980.

No further information concerning the earlier ownership history of the object was available.

Background Information:

This small terracotta beaker dates to the 1st–2nd century A.D. and represents a common form of Roman drinking vessel used throughout the Empire. Characterised by its rounded body, slightly constricted neck, and everted rim, the vessel was designed for the consumption of wine and other beverages. Such cups and beakers formed an essential part of Roman tableware and were found in households ranging from modest rural dwellings to prosperous urban residences.

Wine occupied a central place in Roman daily life and culture. It was consumed by people from all levels of society and was often diluted with water before drinking, following established Roman customs. Drinking vessels such as this example were used during everyday meals, social gatherings, religious ceremonies, and banquets. Their widespread presence reflects the importance of communal dining and hospitality within Roman society.

Roman pottery workshops produced large quantities of utilitarian vessels using well-established manufacturing techniques. Clay was carefully prepared, shaped on the potter's wheel, and fired in kilns capable of producing durable ceramic wares suitable for regular use. Standardised forms allowed potters to manufacture vessels efficiently while maintaining consistent quality and functionality.

The 1st and 2nd centuries A.D. correspond to the height of the Roman Imperial period, when trade networks connected provinces across Europe, North Africa, and the Mediterranean basin. Pottery was one of the most widely distributed commodities in the Roman world. Similar drinking vessels have been recovered from settlements, military forts, villas, and urban centres throughout the Empire. Such vessels were traded across large distances, reaching regions such as present-day Germany and the Netherlands.

Beyond their practical function, drinking vessels provide valuable insight into Roman social customs. Shared meals and drinking occasions played an important role in reinforcing family ties, social relationships, and cultural traditions. Even simple ceramic beakers formed part of this broader social and economic framework that characterised Roman daily life.

For archaeologists, vessels of this type are important chronological indicators. Their shapes, fabrics, and manufacturing techniques help date archaeological contexts and contribute to our understanding of regional production and trade patterns within the Empire.

Dating to the 1st–2nd century A.D., this beaker is an authentic example of Roman domestic pottery and offers a glimpse into the everyday habits of the ancient world. It forms a tangible connection to Roman daily life, where vessels of this kind were regularly used at the dining table. This piece provides a direct and physical link to the people of antiquity who drank, dined, and socialised using objects such as this nearly two thousand years ago."