A ROMAN NORTH AFRICAN SLIPWARE AMPHORISKOS

Circa 300-400 AD. A fine redware jug, with a rounded body and applied decoration including a youthful Bacchus drinking from a wine cup, and four palm fronds. The top of the neck is decorated with two concentric grooves. The jug also features a simple, slightly out-turned rim; two handles, the outsides of which are also decorated with palm frond design; and a small ring foot, on which the jug stands. This type of high-quality pottery was made of fine clay in central Tunisia. Although fine red slip ware, the so-called ‘Arrentine’ ware, was first produced in Italy, African red slip ware was the most popular type of tableware in the Roman Empire by the 3rd century AD.Size: L:180mm / W:90mm ; 280gProvenance: Private collection of a California attorney, acquired from Tetragon Gallery, London, 2000.