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Terra Sigillata ("sealed earth"): Also called "Samian ware," this form of pottery was a luxury item in ancient Greece and Rome. Instead of a glaze, the surface is crafted from fine particles of clay, painstakingly stone burnished and hand-polished for a beautiful and durable finish.

All pieces on this page are 100% food-safe.

VENETIAN CAT'S terra sigillata is crafted to ancient designs and classical proportions. Available in both red and black finishes as well as multicolored, suitable for food and drink, it is ideal for re-enactors, teachers, history buffs and others who want to add ancient atmosphere to their tables, altars or household decor.

A very special thank you to Vince Pitelka for his recipe and easy to follow instructions in how to make terra sigillata and thus inspiring me to do Roman reproduction pottery. For more information, please visit his website at: http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka/professional/terra_sig.htm

Terra Sigillata Care and Additional Information: Click HERE

OIL LAMPS click HERE

Click on thumbnails (below) to enlarge photos

 

      unglazed                                glazed                             colored                                       

(click to enlarge)

Medusa Medallion

5 inches (13 cm) diameter

Glazed to look like bronze, each medallion is individually made by hand in a press mold, detailed and numbered.  The mold was cast from an original sculpture.

Hole in top, ready to hang

 unglazed, $30.00

glazed $40.00

colored with engobe $50.00 (permanent and will not wash off)

Special thanks to "Wren" of

LaWren's Nest for this cool idea  : )

and to Tony Dahm for the color idea : )

 

 

AMPHORAE

These are 100% food safe

 

Inside is coated with beeswax to make the vessel watertight.

 

Large Torpedo Wine Amphora

Holds approximately 3 quarts

$250.00 with stand

$225.00 without stand

20 inches (50CM) TALL, comes with cork

Special thanks to Michael Garrity,

aka GAIVS OCTAVIUS DRVSVS, of Arizona, USA

 

Click to Enlarge for photos of original

Original amphora shown above is smaller, but this shape was commonly used c. 100AD for large vessels as well.

 

30-inch-Torpedo-Amphora-1.jpg (47304 bytes)30-inch-Torpedo-Amphora-1a.jpg (32760 bytes)

30-inch-Torpedo-Amphora-2.jpg (83051 bytes)

Special thanks to Ralph Hughart,

Texas USA

 

 

NEW!

Full Scale Torpedo Wine Amphora

Holds approximately 8.5 Liters ( 2.2 gallons)

$670.00 with stand

$620.00 without stand

30 inches (75CM) TALL, comes with cork

 

 This amphora is made in two parts and then joined just under the handles with epoxy (it is undetectable, see photo on left).  The inside is then coated with food grade beeswax.

 

This vessel is fully functional, 100% food-safe and water tight.

 

Large Herodian Oil Amphora

Full scale reproduction

Holds 2 gallons

$225.00 with stand

$200.00 without stand

17 inches (43CM) TALL, comes with cork

Special thanks to Michael Garrity,

aka GAIVS OCTAVIUS DRVSVS, of Arizona, USA

 

Click to Enlarge for photos of original

The rounder amphorae were generally used to transport or store oil, whereas longer, more pointed vessels were used to transport and store wine..  This piece spans 30BC-C.100AD

 

 

 

 Dressel 1C Wine Amphora

 1/2 Scale Reproduction

(Holds 1.2 liters, 64 oz)

Size: appx.18inches tall(45cm)

Size: 18 inches tall(45cm)with stand

Stand: appx 6" (15cm ) tall x 5" diameter (12.5cm) at base

Comes with cork

 

with stand:

$175.00

$150.00 without  stand

 

 

 

 

 

Rendering of Original

ORIGIN: Middle Tyrrhenian coast of Italy.

ORIGINAL DIMENSIONS: 100 to 120cm high, 30cm wide.

DIFFUSION: diffused in large amounts in Western Mediterranean,

Middle and Northern Europe from the second half of II to the end of I Century B.C.

CONTENT: wine.

 

Dressel 1C Amphora displayed in a modern day Roman Bathroom

(Click to enlarge)

Courtesy Michael Arant

USA

 Wine Amphora

Pompeii VI

Full-Scale Reproduction

33" tall (82.5 cm) x 8" (20cm)diameter

Comes with cork

 

with stand:

$670.00

$620.00 without  stand

 

Special thanks to Richard Campbell of LEG XX VV for input and support

 

Rendering of Original

ORIGIN: Southern Italy.

DIMENSIONS: approximately  85cm high, 22cm diameter

DIFFUSION: Italy, during the I Century B.C.

CONTENT: wine

 

"Anatomy of an Amphora"  For a step by step description of ancient vase construction, click HERE

It may take a while to load, but it's worth the wait. 

To see this, you will need a PowerPoint viewer if you do not have one.

  To download a FREE Power Point Viewer, click HERE     

I am more than happy to share my PowerPoint presentations.  I ask only that they not be altered or used for any reason other than information and education. Julia

 

 

    Pompeii VI Wine Amphora

1/2 scale Reproduction

with stand

17" tall (42.5cm) x 4" (10)diameter

Comes with cork

 

with stand:

$175.00

$150.00 without  stand

ORIGIN: Southern Italy.

DIMENSIONS: approximately  85cm high, 22cm diameter

DIFFUSION: Italy, during the I Century B.C.

CONTENT: wine

 

Rendering of Original

ORIGIN: Southern Italy.

DIMENSIONS: approximately  85cm high, 22cm diameter

DIFFUSION: Italy, during the I Century B.C.

CONTENT: wine

 

Special thanks to Maria D'Alexander of Illinois for this great idea.  Please scroll down to see how this was displayed in the kitchen of her home.

The faux finish/trompe l'oeil artist is Gail Trent Risner

For information on Roman culture and everyday life, please visit the virtual home of this most noble Roman Lady at:

Villa Iulilla  

Villa Iulilla is the creation of Ms. Sara Urdahl, of Washington State, USA

Ms. Urdahl owns the Villa Iulilla site.

 

 

For more information on amphorae, see the following links:

http://www.sportesport.it/amphorae.htm
http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/archive/amphora_ahrb_2005/index.cfm
http://www.potsherd.uklinux.n

ROMAN TERRA SIGILLATA/SAMIAN WARE

 

RM 1003-R (Red Set)

RM 1003-B (Black set)

$110.00 as a set (3 pieces)

$120.00 if cups are incised

RM 1003-RI (Red incised)

RM 1003-BI (Black incised)*

Beautiful feastware to set off your Roman Meals...

These pieces are 100% Food Safe

 

Special thanks to Pat and Will Bradford (Gens Cassia) of Nova Roma for the idea of creating Roman dinnerware and for purchasing my first set...

* A note on Black Pieces:

Due to technical difficulties with black, black pieces are not actual terra sigillata, but are glazed to look exactly like terra sigillata. Please e-mail if you have any questions:

info@venetiancat.com

RM 1004  $120.00 as a set (3 pieces)

RM 1004-I $130.00 if cups are incised

RM 1004

Buff and Blue Set

Terra Sigillata

The body is finished in buff terra sigillata

The stripe is painted with 2 shades of engobe (refined colored clay that is fired onto the piece, is thus molecularly bonded, and will not wash off), and then hand polished to a soft sheen.

Click HERE for more color options

Shown here are colors

#0677 "Mediterranean Blue"

#0698 "Azure Blue"

 

 

Made for Deb Fuller ("Lepidina" of Maryland, USA)

Click to enlarge

Potsherd Atlas of Roman Pottery

* A note on Black Pieces:

Due to technical difficulties with black, black pieces are not actual terra sigillata, but are glazed to look exactly like terra sigillata. Please e-mail if you have any questions:

info@venetiancat.com

RM 1003 P-R(Red)

RM 1003 P-B(Black)

$50.00

 

RM 1003 P

Plain Plate

Diameter: 10 inches (24 cm)

Ludowici, AD 160-230

 

RM 1003 B-R (Red)

RM 1003 B-B(Black)

 

$50.00

 

RM 1003 B

Plain Bowl

 Diameter: 8 inches (20 cm)

 

Dragendorff 32, AD 160-230

RM 1003 C-R(Red)

RM 1003 C-B(Black)

several IN STOCK, size/shape varies slightly $20.00

RM 1003 C

Cup

Size: 3 inches x 3 inches

(7.5 cm)

Mediterranean area, 1st Century AD

Photograph of Original

It appears as though much of the terra sigillata finish has worn away.

 

RM 1003 C-R-I(Red, Incised)

RM 1003 C-B-I(Black, Incised)

 

$30.00 each

Up to 7 characters on front,

add .50 for each additional character

 

Incised Cup

Size: 3 inches x 3 inches

(7.5 cm)

YOUR LEGIO, name, or anything else you prefer...

 

 

Special thanks to Doug Mather of LEG IX H Texas for this very cool idea!

NEW! 

 

RM 1003CB-G(Black, Gold)

$45.00 each

Real 22 carat gold luster lettering (up to 8 letters)

 

Size: 3 inches x 3 inches

(7.5 cm)

YOUR LEGIO, name, or anything else you prefer...VERY striking!

 

 

RM 1004-A

$50.00

Dimensions same as original

 

 

Photograph of Original

1st c BC-1st c AD

 

Ht: 2.9" (7.4 cm)

 

RM 1004-B

$50.00

Dimensions same as original

2 IN STOCK

 

 

Photograph of Original

1st c AD

Ht: 2.9" (7.4 cm)

RM 1004-C (large cup)

$55.00

Dimensions same as original

 

 

 

Photograph of Original

1st-2nd c. AD

Ht: 4.3" (11 cm)

Please click to enlarge images

To the left is a gorgeous custom box made by Ralph Izard of Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA as part of a school project.

* A note on Black Pieces:

Due to technical difficulties with black, black pieces are not actual terra sigillata, but are glazed to look exactly like terra sigillata. Please e-mail if you have any questions:

info@venetiancat.com

RM 1005 AUP-R (Red)

RM 1005 AUP-B (Black)

 

2 IN STOCK  $65.00 ea

63 BC - 14 AD What we know as the "dinner set" first appeared in this period.

 

RM 1005 AUP

Augustan

Reproduction Plate

Conspectus 18

 

Diameter: 9 inches (22.5 cm)

 

RM 1005 AUB-R (Red)

RM 1005 AUB-B (Black)

 

Available in Black or Red

  $45.00 ea

RM 1005 AUB

Augustan Reproduction Bowl

Conspectus 17

(based on black and white photo of original,see left chart, bottom right)

Diameter: 5 inches (12.5 cm)

AUGUSTAN PLATE and BOWL are available as a 3 piece set, and includes CUP 1003C, (above)

RM 1005-AU-SET $120.00 Please specify RED or BLACK

Source:Hayes, John W.

Handbook of Mediterranean Roman Pottery

pp45-47

SOURCE:

Conspectus Forms-Cups-Bowls, Plates

Note: Scale is accurate if printed on standard letter sized paper.

Figure 16 Plate and Dish Forms (scale 1:3): Conspectus forms 2, base as 12 or 18, 20.3 (platter) 21, 20.4 (two), 21 (late), 4 (late) 3.2 respectively

Figure 17 (opposite page) Cups and Bowl forms (scale 1:2):
Conspectus Forms 14 (large, small), 15 (large), 22, 32, 26, 27, 33, 36.4, 23.2 (bottom left), 34 (bottom right) respectively.

* A note on Black Pieces:

Due to technical difficulties with black, black pieces are not actual terra sigillata, but are glazed to look exactly like terra sigillata. Please e-mail if you have any questions:

info@venetiancat.com

RM 1006

$100.00

Available in Red or Black

RM 1006

Roman Reproduction Pitcher

(Holds 1 Liter)

Size: 7 inches tall (17.5cm) x 5 inches (12.5 cm) diameter

Bottom inscribed in Latin"Nunc est Bibendum"

(Now it is time for us to drink)

Photograph of Original

2nd-1st half of 3rd c. AD, also seen in Pompeii

RM 1007

$85.00

Shown here with beeswax on inside

Also available glazed inside

RM 1007

 Plain Terra Cotta Pitcher

based on original above

(Holds 1 liter)

Pitcher is stone-burnished, and 100% food-safe

Size: 7 inches tall (17.5cm) x 5 inches (12.5 cm) diameter

 

RM 1008

$120.00

Available in Red or Black

 

RM 1008

Roman Style Pitcher from the

House of Iulia Felix, Pompeii

(Holds 1.5 liters)

Size: 12  1/2 inches(32 cm) tall

Bottom inscribed in Latin"Nunc est Bibendum"

(Now it is time for us to drink)

This pitcher is not a reproduction, but rather was inspired by a fresco in Pompeii from a house of the same name.

The original depicted here may well have been made of glass.

RM 1009

$90.00

RM 1009

Funerary Urn with Lid

Stone Burnished Terra Cotta

Size: 7" (17.5 cm) tall

SOURCE:

To the left is a photograph from JMC Toynebee's "Death and Burial in the Roman World." The upper left picture shows a group of urns in a burial chamber.

$25.00 each

RM 1010-R (Solid Red)

RM 1010-B(Solid Black)

RM 1010-BU(Buff)

Surface Decoration on Buff-colored piece only

RM 1010

Small Bowl

Size: 4 inches Diameter (10cm) x 1  1/2 inches (3.5cm) tall

Great for side dishes, such as nuts and olives

 

Set of 3

 

$35.00

One of each: Red, Black, Buff

 

RM 1011

3 Dipping Bowls

Size: 2  1/2 inches Diameter (6cm) x 3/4 inches (2cm) tall

Great for dipping sauces, such as Garum.

RM 1012-P (Plain)

RM 1012-R (Red)

$50.00

Available Plain or with Terra Sigillata finish

GARUM RECIPE: Click HERE

RM 1012

Garum Amphora Reproduction
(Holds 300 mls, appx 12 oz)

Stone burnished
Size: 9 inches (22.5 cm) x 3 inches (7.5 cm)


Plain is glazed inside, but available with beeswax.
Terra Sigillata is available coated inside with beeswax only.

The bottom has been broadened slightly from the original to allow the vessel to stand on its own.

$45.00

RM 1013-R (Red)

RM 1013-B (Black)

 

Available with Terra Sigillata finish

Red or Black

 

RM 1013

Mini Garum Amphora
(Holds 50 mls, appx 1.5 oz)

Terra Sigillata finish, black or red
Size: 5.5 inches (14 cm) x 1 inch diameter (2.5 cm)

About the size of a tabasco bottle,this is perfect for throwing in your kit for a long march or for a special feast.

Comes with hand-knotted net bag made from hemp and with a cork

 

Terra Sigillata items are available coated inside with beeswax only and cannot be glazed.

 

Another cool idea donated by

P. Dominus Antonius

(Anthony Dahm of Virginia, USA)

 

RM-U-Jar Unguent Jar

$10.00

This little jar is great for holding ointment or salves, just like the ancient originals, fits easily in a pack.

It is glazed on the inside, comes with cork.

1.5 inches  x 1.5 inches, (3.75cm) exclusive of cork

Idea submitted by

P. Dominus Antonius

(Anthony Dahm of Virginia, USA)

Dominus uses this jar to hold lanolin for his lorica segmentata (Roman body armor) so that it doesn't rust.

 

Photo of an original Roman pottery jar,

200 AD

height 11 cm

 

Photograph of Original Roman Amphora dating to 300 AD.

These lovely torpedo shaped vessels were frequently used by the Romans to transport concentrated wine or fish paste.

Intact, unrestored.

Height: 9 inches (22.5 cm)

Width: 3 inches.(7.5cm)

Provenance:ex Private English Collection.

NEW!

Shown with a quarter in the foreground for scale

$50.00 (cork and holy water included)

Holy Water Mini Amphora

(Holds  appx. 1 oz)

Stone burnished

Size: 3 inches tall (8 cm)

Comes glazed on the inside, but is available with beeswax.

Filled with Holy Water from Lourdes

Another wonderful idea submitted by

Anne Damman, Michigan USA

 

 

 

RM 1014

$35.00 (cork included)

 

 

RM 1014

Holy land

Oil Flask Reproduction

(Holds 150 mls, appx. 5.5 oz)

Stone burnished

Size: 4 inches tall (10 cm)

Comes glazed on the inside, but is available with beeswax.

Great for storing olive oil for your lamps

Photograph of Original
Size:4 1/8" H. (10.5 cm)
Material: Terracotta
Culture: Holy-Land, c. 8th-7th Century B.C.

RM 1015

$70.00 (cork included) ]

Comes with Net Bag

(made with jute)

Click HERE

for Water Vessel Instructions and Care

HOW to MAKE YOUR OWN BAG:

Click HERE

RM 1015

Water Vessel for Soldier's Kit

HOLDS appx. 400 mls. 

Stone burnished

Size: 8" tall (20cm)

Weighs about 2 lb (920 grams) when full, and about 520 grams when empty. The natural clay body will keep water cool on hot days.

  All bottles come clear-glazed inside, but can be coated with beeswax instead for no extra charge.   Comes with cork.  Most regular wine corks will fit as well.

Easy to clean and care for- these are so much better than smelly leather pouches or gourds!

Special thanks to Leon Delgado of Legio XXIV Media Atlantia for thinking of making a clay water bottle instead of using plastic ones! 

CLICK HERE for COVERING IDEA

 

Left and center: Sensei Phil Perez of

Legio III Cyrenaica

RM 1016(Net Bag Only)

$20.00

RM 1016 (Net bag only)

$20.00

Net Bags

 Now available for folks that don't have the time or inclination to make their own.  These are handmade from hemp rope, in house.  They are removable, and come with plenty of extra rope so that a shoulder strap can be made to the length desired by simply braiding the ends and tying them in the middle.

Special thanks to Verena Mullins (left, blue dress), who so graciously showed us how to make the net bags.

(For more of Verena's work, please go HERE)

RM 1017

 $80.00 (cork included)

 

Click HERE

for Water Vessel Instructions and Care

Roman Reproduction Canteen

HOLDS appx.850 mls.  (about 30 ounces)

Weighs about 3.12 lb (1710 grams) when full, and about 1 lb 14 oz (860 grams )when empty.

This is a full scale reproduction based on the piece pictured below.  The inside is coated with beeswax, and is fully watertight.

 

RM 1017 NC

$100.00 with net covering

(made with hemp fiber)

 

 

 

NET COVERING

 Now available for folks that don't have the time or inclination to make their own.  These are handmade from hemp rope in house. 

This is NOT removable, and must be ordered ahead of time, as it is woven directly on the canteen.  Comes with en extra-long shoulder strap, that can be trimmed down if needed.

HOW to MAKE YOUR OWN COVERING:

Click HERE

 

Special thanks to Adrian Wink

(Marcus Ulpius Peronis,
COH I BATAVORVM MCRPF )  of the UK for providing photos and information.

The original was found along with an esparto grass canteen cover, in the Mazarron Roman mines, in Spain. A common canteen shape apparently. (Except in Britain) from the early second century context.

The thickness I would guess would be around 6-7mm for the main body of the vessel and around 5mm for the neck/rim.

The diameter of the vessel is 180mm (appx 7 inches)

The depth is in the region of 60mm (appx 2.5 inches)

Got an idea for a vessel?

Something you'd like to see reproduced?

E-MAIL US

We welcome challenges!

 

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info@venetiancat.com

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