A Megarian bowl, Circa 2nd Century BC

With relief decoration of a rosette on the base with radiating palm fronds, a band of dots below the rim. Megarian ware was the Greek forerunner to the Roman 'Samian' ware, which was also known as Terra sigillata, (translates as 'sealed earth'). During the Hellenistic period, vessels of chased metals were greatly sought after and potters of the time tried to imitate the form and decoration. Relief or impressed designs were widely used, as was ribbing, to try and give a 'look and feel' of metal. Painted decoration was rare, using a technique where paint was applied over a thick black slip. The usual decoration for bowls, cups, dishes and plates would be naturalistic motifs, such as palmettes and rosettes. Hellenistic Megarian Ware (3rd-1st century) is found throughout the Aegean. A typical shape is the himespherical bowl as shown here with typical naturalistic decoration and black and brown slip.

A rare and good example. See - Greek, Etruscan and Roman pottery and small terracottas, Felicity Nicholson, (1965), pg 34. 11.2 cms diameter,

Condition - Very good, intact. No restoration or repair

Provenance;
Property of an English private collector, Mr F of Surry ( 1909 - 1984 ), acquired in the 1960s

GBP £550.00 Stock No;2004

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