VesselsRoman3rd century CE

Bulbous Beaker with Ivy Tendrils

200-250 CE

Description

Bulbuous beaker of light brownish clay coated with a black slip ("color-coated"). The decoration on the belly consists of ivy tendrils applied "en barbotine," i.e. in diluted clay. The tendrils are framed by and extend over two bands of "rouletting," which consists of rows of vertical strokes impressed with a rotating tool (1). The slip is partly abraded on exposed areas of the barbotine decoration. 1. For vessels with a similar barbotine patterns of ivy, see the Catalogue of Roman Pottery, British Museum (1908), fig. 77 (M131) and 78 ((M133).

Classification

Vessels

Technique

Barbotine

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Roman

Period

Roman Imperial period

Century

3rd century CE

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Ancient and Byzantine Art & Numismatics

Dimensions

11 cm (4 5/16 in.)

Provenance

Pinney Family, Arne House, Wareham, Dorset. Captain A.W.F. Fuller, London, UK (1882-1961). [Bonhams, Limited. London, 30 October 2003, Lot 256] sold; to [Charles Ede Limited, London, 2003-2011] sold; to Harvard Art Museums, 2011. Note: Old label on vessel reads "ROMAN POT, Dug up in the grounds of Arne, House, ARNE, near Wareham, Dorset by the Pinney family".