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Black-burnished Ware, Dish or Jar Fragments, 1st-3rd Cent.

Cast clay; For size and weight reference the lower piece is 21mm x 4mm / 4.6gm. At this size, thinness and weight, it could been from either a serving dish, a small drinking cup or jar of some sort. Of interest is the two fragments seen top, fit together perfectly and can be glued together. Also, note the wavy "sine wave" line design as mentioned below!

Seller's Note/ Black burnished ware made from a fine clay, black or gray-colored and wheel thrown fabric. Decoration includes burnished lattice or, additionally, in the case of bowls, jars and dishes, a wavy ("sine wave") line design. Standard forms include jars with everted rims and bowls with upright or flat flanged rims.

Unlike Terra sigillata that was used by Roman elites as serving plates and vessels to show off their wealth and taste, black-burnished ware was used for everyday use, possibly by servants or slaves in the kitchen.This is an excellent example of such a wares. Oddly enough, such fragments are more scarce than terra sigillata!

Always desirable to Roman collectors, such pieces look great in shadowboxes.