Archaeological Museum of Bologna

In the Roman world has never developed a ceramic production of high artistic value, as it happened in the Greek world, but the Roman workshops were able to realize large amounts of vessels.

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Wares for everyday domestic use, known as “common-wares”, were produced throughout the Roman world in kilns (sometimes under family management) located close to consumers, to avoid high transportation costs. In general, they were made either from a light and pure impasto , used at the tables of the less wealthy, or from a rough impasto, used for food preservation and cooking over burning coals. The most diffused cooking earthenwares were the shallow dish, the deep dish and the pot, which was also used to preserve food. The plate, water and wine cups, jar and the olpe were used to serve food and beverages. Larger wares, such as bowls, mortars to pound food or dolia (large containers used for food preservation) were also made in common ceramic. Due to their practical character, some of these ceramic forms remained in use so long that they are often difficult to date.

Basic pottery bottle with ansae
Bottles with handles were very common as kitchen containers for storing and serving wine. It was not unusual also to place these items in tombs since they were connected to the libation aspects of the funeral rite.

Provenance: Palagi Collection
Datation: 1st century BC–1 century AD
Material: Clay
Dimensions: h cm 24,2
Inventory #: Rom 1490