VesselsRoman2nd-3rd century CE

Stamped Amphora Handle

160-220 CE

Description

The amphora stamps of the Melissi family are found all over the western Mediterranean, in such frequency and extent as to suggest that they must have been one of the wealthiest and most productive families in Spain. The distribution of stamps of L. Iunius Melissus range from the 160s through the early part of the 3rd century CE, to judge from the find-spots of stamps in Monte Testaccio. He seems to have inherited the business from the two Melissi (husband and wife, or brother and sister) who stamped their handles as II IVN. MELISSI ET MELISS(a)E, and was probably the son of both or one of them; the museum has a copy of that stamp (1977.216.3037).

Classification

Vessels

Technique

Stamped

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Roman

Period

Roman Imperial period, Middle

Century

2nd-3rd century CE

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Ancient and Byzantine Art & Numismatics

Dimensions

12.7 cm (5 in.)

Provenance

From Monte Testaccio, acquired; by George J. Pfeiffer and Rachel Hartwell Pfeiffer, Cambridge, MA (by 1905), gift; to the Department of the Classics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (1905-1977), transfer; to the Fogg Museum, 1977. Transfer from Department of the Classics, 1977.