Roman Terracotta Jar

Displaying figures at a banquet (symposium) in relief, reclining on couches and being attended by servants; a centaur on the right; repaired. 358 grams, 30 cm



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

Possibly part of a flanged rectangular vessel, like some specimens found in Cilicia. The presence of a centaur in the scene could evoke the famous mythological fable of the centaurs at the banquet of the Lapiths, when the latter, together with the Athenian hero Theseus, offended by the immoral behaviour of the centaurs who had attempted to kidnap the women, slaughtered them all.

Openwork heart-shaped shoulders and reef-knot to the underside, ellipsoid cell with inset cameo. 5.03 grams, 20.13 mm overall, 15.77 mm internal diameter (approximate size British G 1/2, USA 3 1/2, Europe 5.55, Japan 5)



Acquired in the 1980s. American private collection. with Bonhams, London, 23 October 2013, lot 163. Accompanied by a previous dealer's catalogue and price card (£3,750.00). This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.203078.

From the upper part of a vessel, displaying a bird, a satyr head and a caduceus, a leaping wild horse and a gladiator within a roundel. 71.9 grams, 98 mm



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

These kind of fragments are often found in military camps. In addition to simple cooking pots, jugs, plates and mortars, the household effects of a contubernium (the smallest organised unit of soldiers in the Roman army composed of eight legionaries) also included finer eating and drinking utensils. To avoid confusion, many soldiers marked their dishes with their names and, if necessary, repaired them with the help of lead clips.