Roman Redware Fish Sherd with Christian Symbols

4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.

6 7/8 in. (178 grams, 17.5 cm).

Flat ceramic sherd with incised concentric rings, band of impressed alternating lozenges and roundels, group of four fish to the centre; fabric-backed. [No Reserve]

Provenance

Acquired 1960s-1990s.
From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister

Literature

Cf. Corrado, M., ‘Sigillata Africana C decorata a rilievi applicati e a matrice dal territorio di Nicotera (Sealed Africana C decorated with applied reliefs and matrix from the Nicotera' territory)’ in Givigliano, G.P., D’Andrea, M., Insediamenti e paesaggi dalla Preistoria al Tardo Antico sul monto Poro, Vibo Valentia, 2014, pp.167-221, figs.27,49,50, for similar images.

Footnotes

The representation of fish on this terra sigillata from a North African workshop suggests the connection with Christian faith through the fish symbol. The ancient Greek: 'ἰχθύς', was an acronym for the phrase ‘Jesus Christ, Son of God’, in Greek, and was used by early Christians for this reason. The fish symbol was very common in the catacombs of Rome and was used as a recognition symbol among the early Christians.

CONDITION

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