Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st century CE. A large transport amphora, of the form classified as a Dressel 10, manufactured in the south of Spain to be used for carrying fish sauce. It has a wide, bell-shaped mouth with a rim above a cylindrical neck before widening into its bulbous body that widens very gently towards its base before ending in a short, hollow spike. Two flattened handles rise from the shoulder, curve in an almost ninety degree angle, and meet the neck just below the rim. Amphorae of this type were made at kilns mainly in the modern province of Cadiz, Andalucia, and are generally found in western Roman provinces, including as far east as Rome itself. Size: 12.75" W x 38.75" H (32.4 cm x 98.4 cm); 45.25" H (114.9 cm) on included custom stand.

Classification derived from Heinrich Dressel, "Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum," band XV, Berlin 1899.

This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase.

Provenance: private Houston, Texas, USA collection; ex-Bonhams London Antiquities Auction, 8 May, 2013, part of lot 85; ex-The Sir Daniel Donohue collection, California, USA. The collection was started by the oil and cement tycoon Daniel Murphy in the 19th century and inherited by his daughter and son-in-law, Sir Daniel Donohue.

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#133143

Intact! A few small surface chips and nicks.