Saucepan (patella) of Eggers type 137, tinned bronze, Roman Empire, c. 50-120 AD
This Roman culinary and banqueting vessel represents the form of a patella (deep saucepan), classified in archaeological typology as Eggers type 137. The object dates from the early Roman Empire, specifically the second half of the 1st century or the beginning of the 2nd century AD (a timeframe of approximately 50–120 AD), corresponding to the chronological horizon from Emperor Nero's reign to the Flavian dynasty and Emperor Trajan. The saucepan was cast from tinned bronze in a provincial Roman workshop, located in Gaul or Germania Inferior, modeled after products from Campanian manufacturers in the Capua region. The tin coating on the inner walls of the vessel was intended to protect prepared food from direct contact with copper and the formation of toxic compounds. The vessel's net weight is 1060 grams. The object consists of a hemispherical bowl, 8.2 centimeters in height and 18 centimeters in rim diameter, connected to a flat handle with a trapezoidal finial, resulting in a total length of 30.2 centimeters.
Sculpture of a god’s head (Zeus or Hercules), marble, Mediterranean basin, Hellenistic period
Shekel (Judas silver), Tyre, 139 local era = 13/14 after Chr.
Terra sigillata vessel, Dragendorff 18/31 type, terracotta, Roman Empire, circa 190-240 AD.
This Roman terra sigillata vessel (bowl) represents the Dragendorff 18/31 form, a smooth, undecorated transitional variant between a flat plate and a deep bowl. The artifact dates from the turn of the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD (the time of Septimius Severus or Caracalla) and was produced in the thriving provincial Roman pottery center in Trier, within the Roman province of Gallia Belgica. The vessel features universal, medium table dimensions: a maximum rim diameter of 19.2 centimeters, an overall height of 4.5 centimeters, and a stabilizing footring diameter of 10.2 centimeters. These proportions reflect an ancient geometric module based on a strict two-to-one relationship between the rim width and the base, which was standard in serial workshop production of that period.
The bowl was crafted from very well-sorted ferruginous clay, which, after firing, achieved a uniform, bright red color. The surface of the vessel is covered with a slip exhibiting a characteristic silky sheen. Natural traces of ancient use are visible on its structure, manifesting as fine scratches within the interior and superficial abrasions on the rim and the underside of the footring, resulting from repeated placement of the vessel on hard surfaces. The vessel's profile is formed by straight, conically flaring side walls that gently curve into a deepened base in the lower section. The central part of the interior features a regular, conical elevation, known as an omphalos, which is further encircled by a distinct ring incised into the clay before firing.
Rim diameter (maximum): 19.2 cm Overall height: 4.5 cm Footring diameter (base): 10.2 cm Weight: 417 g