Large Roman Pottery Transport Amphora, TL Tested

**Originally Listed At $1200**

Roman, late Republic to early Imperial Period, ca. 2nd century BCE to 2nd century CE. A large wheel-thrown pottery transport amphora with a wide hemispherical base, a tapering body, a rounded shoulder, a petite rim, and a pair of applied loop handles. Based on the shape, this amphora may have been used to transport stewed fruit or salted fish (larger examples were used for wine and olive oil), however the lack of the original cork and pitch stopper mean the original contents are unknown. Amphorae formed the basis of the Roman economy as storage vessels for transporting goods throughout the Empire, with examples found from North Africa to Britain. The rounded base on this amphora was intended for storage in soft ground; the handles made the amphora easy to transport on ships by placing it in a specially-designed rack and roping it through the handles to others. Size: 13.2" W x 24.5" H (33.5 cm x 62.2 cm).

This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-private Florida, USA collection, acquired in the 1980s

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#145299
Condition Report: Repaired from multiple pieces with small chips and light resurfacing along break lines. Minor nicks to rim, handles, body, and base, with fading to original pigmentation, and extensive encrustations. Nice earthen deposits throughout. Two TL drill holes: one on top rim, and the other on the base.