Roman jug

Roman jug
ITEM: Jug
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 2nd - 4th Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 145 mm x 130 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex German private collection, R.Villinger-Schmeller, Bavaria, acquired before 1980

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

Roman jugs, known as urceus or ampullae depending on their style and purpose, were essential vessels in both daily life and ceremonial contexts throughout the Roman Empire. These jugs varied widely in form, size, and material, ranging from simple clay or terracotta jugs for household use to elaborate glass or bronze vessels used for special purposes. Many Roman jugs had narrow necks and handles that allowed for easy pouring, and some had spouts that directed liquid precisely, making them ideal for both kitchen and table use. The utilitarian versions of these vessels were often undecorated and mass-produced in local pottery workshops, while finer examples were decorated with motifs or painted in colorful glazes.

In addition to their use in homes, jugs played a prominent role in religious and social rituals. In ceremonies, they were often used to pour libations, an offering of wine or oil to the gods, which held great spiritual significance in Roman religious practices. Many jugs found at excavation sites bear traces of wine or oil residues, which suggests their use in these ritual contexts. Glass jugs, which became more popular as glassblowing technology spread in the first century BCE, were particularly valued for their translucency and beauty. These glass vessels were sometimes engraved or blown into ornate shapes and used in wealthy households and temples, demonstrating the wealth and piety of their owners.

The discovery of Roman jugs across former Roman territories, from Britain to North Africa, highlights their role as key items in Roman trade networks.

Measurement:

13 x 14.5 cm