Roman Samian Ware Decorated Bowl Fragments

Displaying an possibly unfinished scene composed of robed warriors or other figures wearing Phrygian caps, wide tunics with segmenta, oriental trousers (anaxyrida) and tugging on a rope; later attachment loop to the reverse. 163 grams, 10.1 cm



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

The scene probably represents an episode of the Trojan cycle, with the Trojans (usually represented in Late Antiquity with a Phrygian cap, wide sleeved tunics and Persian-style trousers) dragging the wooden horse inside the walls of Troy. In the late Roman Empire the Trojan cycle became often the subject of artistic representations, such as the famous Ilias Ambrosiana now preserved in Milan, or the miniatures of the Vergilius Romanus.

The gold circular setting inlaid with a polished garnet cabochon, suspension loop above and decorative knop below. 0.18 grams, 8 mm



From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s.

Comprising a hemispherical black-glazed terracotta body with slightly everted rim, raised circumferential bands to the shoulder, small raised foot, flat bottom. 274 grams, 12.5 cm wide



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Ruislip, UK, gentleman, by inheritance.

The most interesting feature of this bowl is that its whole outline suggests that it has been copied from a Terra Sigillata bowl of type Dragendorff. The moulded figures of the decorated original were, however, probably outside of the craftsman's range, and in places the surface of the bowl is covered with a crudely executed ornamented band.