**First Time At Auction**

Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A gorgeous molded terra sigillata flask presenting a discoid applied foot and a bulbous body that tapers to a slender, cylindrical neck, and a tiered, annular rim. The body of the ancient vessel is adorned with a bas relief design of a horse and two dogs along with a laurel wreath, a pair of vertical acanthus branches, and two decorative vegetal arches. A lovely ribbon-like handle embellished with a column of acanthus leaves and a striped border elegantly curves from the top of the narrow neck to the rounded shoulder of the beautiful flask. Additionally, the neck is adorned with a series of incised bands. Note the vessel's lustrous red surface slip, characteristic of terra sigillata examples from Ancient Rome. Terra Sigillata refers to the method used to seal the red slip onto the pottery during the firing process. Such vessels were mold made and traded throughout the Roman Empire. The technique used to finish the slip on pieces like this one led to the name, terra sigillata, literally meaning "sealed earth" - how poetic! Size: 4.875" in diameter x 8.25" H (12.4 cm x 21 cm)

Terra sigillata is a fine type of Roman ceramic coveted for its smooth red slipped finish and intriguing relief decoration. According to the Walters Museum, "The vessel and decorations were formed in a mold and were sometimes embellished with stamps, roller-dies, appliques, barbotine, and incision. This type of pottery emerged around 40 BCE in Arretium (modern Arezzo) in central Italy and had an enormous influence across the Empire. In Gaul (modern France), cities like Lezoux, Montans, and the ancient site of La Graufesenque developed into prolific centers of terra sigillata wares."

Provenance: private collection, Thousand Oaks, California, USA; ex-Malter Galleries, Encino, California, USA, before 2000

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#162959

Repaired from several pieces with break lines and adhesive visible. Restoration to rim. Expected surface wear with nicks/chips and light abrasions in areas, commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with lovely earthen deposits in recessed areas.