Greek, Roman and Byzantine Pottery at Ilion (Troia):
Eastern Sigillata B
Please note that this is a public draft of work in progress
introduction - bibliography
Eastern Sigillata B is a Roman period fine tableware manufactured at workshops in or near Tralles in western Asia Minor. Its early forms show Italian influence and at least two early workshops may have been established by potters coming from the west (Zabhelicky Scheffengger 1995). Though always less common than the ESC/Candarli, which was made in closer workshops, ESB is a regular feature in first and early second century AD deposits. The ware is recognizable by its thick "soapy" slip and highly micaceous fabric, both of which attributes are more pronounced in later vessels. Occassionaly, ESB is fired black, with one such example listed below.
1. Eastern Sigillata Bi Footed Bowl Base (late 1st Century BC - early 1st Century AD)
P.H. .016. Est. diam. base .016 (<1/4 preserved). Th. .0035.
K/L16/17.0430:1. Complete base. Fine orange brown (2.5YR 6/8) fabric with tiny goden mica. Interior is covered with thick and very smooth orange (2.5YR 4/8) slip, thinner on exterior; underside of foot is plain. There is excess clay and surface voids on underside of base.
Cf. Mitsopoulou-Leon 1991, nos. H73-83.
image
Mitsopoulou-Leon, Veronika. 1991. Die Basilika am Staatsmarket in Ephesos. Kleinfunde 1: Keramik hellenistischer und römischer Zeit Forschungen in Ephesos IX.2/2.1. Wein. [worldcat.org]
2. Eastern Sigillata Bi Hayes Form 4 Rim (early 1st)
P.H. .024. Est. diam. rim .18.
K/L16/17.0427:5. Single rim sherd. Micaceous orange-brown (2.5YR 4/6) fabric, red (2.5YR 4/8) slip. Light rouletting under rim.
Sigillate Orientali, tavola xi.13.
image
Hayes, John. 1985. “Sigillate Orientali” in Enciclopedia dell'arte antica classica e orientale. Atlante delle Forme Ceramiche II, Ceramica Fine Romana nel Bacino Mediterraneo (Tardo Ellenismo e Primo Impero), Rome: 1-96.
3. Eastern Sigillata Bi Hayes Form 12 Rim (AD 50-75)
P.H. .026. Est. diam. rim .016 (<1/10 preserved). Th. .0047.
z06.0025:1. Single rim sherd. Downturned rim. Rouletting on outer face of rim.
Sigillate Orientali, tavola XII.3. Shares characteristics with Mitsopoulou-Leon 1991, no. H22.
image
Hayes, John. 1985. “Sigillate Orientali” in Enciclopedia dell'arte antica classica e orientale. Atlante delle Forme Ceramiche II, Ceramica Fine Romana nel Bacino Mediterraneo (Tardo Ellenismo e Primo Impero), Rome: 1-96.
Mitsopoulou-Leon, Veronika. 1991. Die Basilika am Staatsmarket in Ephesos. Kleinfunde 1: Keramik hellenistischer und römischer Zeit Forschungen in Ephesos IX.2/2.1. Wein. [worldcat.org]
4. Eastern Sigillata Bi Plate near Hayes Form 14 Rim (AD 50-100)
Th. .007.
z07.0052:3. Single rim sherd. Too small to recover diameter, stance provisional. High rim with external carination at meeting of floor and rim, two narrow grooves below interior rim.
Cf. Sigillate Orientali, tavola XII.6; also Zelle 1997, nos. 62 and 63; Mitsopoulou-Leon 1991, no. H1. None of these have as sharp an external carination nor interior grooves.
image
Hayes, John. 1985. “Sigillate Orientali” in Enciclopedia dell'arte antica classica e orientale. Atlante delle Forme Ceramiche II, Ceramica Fine Romana nel Bacino Mediterraneo (Tardo Ellenismo e Primo Impero), Rome: 1-96.
Zelle, Michael. 1997. Die Terra sigillata aus der Westtor-Nekropole in Assos Asia Minor Studien 27. Bonn. [worldcat.org]
Mitsopoulou-Leon, Veronika. 1991. Die Basilika am Staatsmarket in Ephesos. Kleinfunde 1: Keramik hellenistischer und römischer Zeit Forschungen in Ephesos IX.2/2.1. Wein. [worldcat.org]
5. Eastern Sigillata Bi Hayes Form 22 Rim (Augustan)
P.H. .026. Th. .004.
z07.0029:1. Single rim sherd. Fine red (2.5YR 5/8) fabric with some mica. Slightly darker (2.5YR 6/8), thick and smoothed slip. Everted rim, upturned at outer edge.
Sigillate Orientali, p. 57, tavola XII.16-17. Zelle 1997, no. 36, Mitsopoulou-Leon 1991, no. H95.
image
Hayes, John. 1985. “Sigillate Orientali” in Enciclopedia dell'arte antica classica e orientale. Atlante delle Forme Ceramiche II, Ceramica Fine Romana nel Bacino Mediterraneo (Tardo Ellenismo e Primo Impero), Rome: 1-96.
Zelle, Michael. 1997. Die Terra sigillata aus der Westtor-Nekropole in Assos Asia Minor Studien 27. Bonn. [worldcat.org]
Mitsopoulou-Leon, Veronika. 1991. Die Basilika am Staatsmarket in Ephesos. Kleinfunde 1: Keramik hellenistischer und römischer Zeit Forschungen in Ephesos IX.2/2.1. Wein. [worldcat.org]
6. Eastern Sigillata Bi Hayes Form 35 (mid 1st century AD)
P.H. .038. Est. diam. rim .086 (1/10 preserved). Th. .004.
K/L16/17.0120:5. Single sherd. Micaceous, very fine, brown (2.5YR 6/8) fabric. Flaking deep brown (2.5YR 4/8) slip on all surfaces, thicker under short rim.
Sigillate Orientali, p. 60, tavola XIII.5.
image
Hayes, John. 1985. “Sigillate Orientali” in Enciclopedia dell'arte antica classica e orientale. Atlante delle Forme Ceramiche II, Ceramica Fine Romana nel Bacino Mediterraneo (Tardo Ellenismo e Primo Impero), Rome: 1-96.
7. Eastern Sigillata Bii Hayes Form 55 (AD 50 - 100)
P.H. . Est. diam. rim near .26 (1/10 preserved). Th. .003.
K/L16/17.0398:10. Single sherd. Micaceous light red (2.5YR 6/8) fabric, deep red (2.5YR 4/8) soapy slip. Two grooves on upper face of rim.
image
8. Eastern Sigillata Bii Hayes Form 58 Profile (AD 50-125)
P.H. .031. Est. diam. rim .139. Est. diam. base .11.
P0419. . Almost complete. Soft fabric with shiny orangish slip, in some parts whitish (water irritation). Plate with low base and vertical rim. Double incision inside the rim; triple incised groove on the outside just above the base; central stamp with seven-petalled rosette in an indented circle; rouletting around the rim barely visible. From the Hadrianic deposits of the C29 well.
First published as Tekkök et al 2001 no. 25. Sigillate Orientali, p. 63, tavola 14.3.
image
Tekkök, Billur, Susan Wallrodt, Can Yümni Gündem and Charles Brian Rose. 2001. “Two Roman Wells in the Lower City of Ilion. Quadrats C29 and w28,” Studia Troica 11: 85-96.
Hayes, John. 1985. “Sigillate Orientali” in Enciclopedia dell'arte antica classica e orientale. Atlante delle Forme Ceramiche II, Ceramica Fine Romana nel Bacino Mediterraneo (Tardo Ellenismo e Primo Impero), Rome: 1-96.
9. Eastern Sigillata Bii Hayes Form 58 Profile (AD 50-125)
P.H. .025. Est. diam. rim .12 (1/10 preserved). Th. .005.
D20.0093:2. Single rim sherd preserves profile. Soft, brown (2.5YR 6/8) fabric with frequent tiny mica. Slightly darker red slip (near 2.5YR 5/8) on exterior. Incised interior circle around base.
Sigillate Orientali, p. 63, tavola 14.3.
image
Hayes, John. 1985. “Sigillate Orientali” in Enciclopedia dell'arte antica classica e orientale. Atlante delle Forme Ceramiche II, Ceramica Fine Romana nel Bacino Mediterraneo (Tardo Ellenismo e Primo Impero), Rome: 1-96.
10. Eastern Sigillata Bii Hayes Form 58 (AD 50-125)
P.H. .025. Est. diam. rim .14 (1/10 preserved). Th. .0043.
K17.0860:59. Single rim sherd. Soft, brown (5YR 6/6) fabric with frequent tiny mica. Flaking, red slip (near 10R 4/8) . Single incised line under rim.
Sigillate Orientali, p. 63, tavola 14.3.
image
Hayes, John. 1985. “Sigillate Orientali” in Enciclopedia dell'arte antica classica e orientale. Atlante delle Forme Ceramiche II, Ceramica Fine Romana nel Bacino Mediterraneo (Tardo Ellenismo e Primo Impero), Rome: 1-96.
11. Eastern Sigillata Bii Hayes Form 58 (AD 50-125)
P.H. .026. Est. diam. rim .145 (1/8 preserved). Th. .0068.
K17.0860:60. Single rim sherd. Soft, reddish brown (2.5YR 6/8) fabric with frequent tiny mica. The thick darker slip (2.5YR 6/8) is flaking off.
Sigillate Orientali, p. 63, tavola 14.3.
image
Hayes, John. 1985. “Sigillate Orientali” in Enciclopedia dell'arte antica classica e orientale. Atlante delle Forme Ceramiche II, Ceramica Fine Romana nel Bacino Mediterraneo (Tardo Ellenismo e Primo Impero), Rome: 1-96.
12. Eastern Sigillata Bii Hayes Form 58 Rim (50 to 125 AD)
P.H. .017.
K/L16/17.0474:5. Single rim sherd with part of floor. Compact brown (2.5YR 6/8) fabric with frequent golden mica. Dark red (2.5YR 4/8), flaking slip on all surfaces.
Sigillate Orientali, p. 63, tavola XIV.
image
Hayes, John. 1985. “Sigillate Orientali” in Enciclopedia dell'arte antica classica e orientale. Atlante delle Forme Ceramiche II, Ceramica Fine Romana nel Bacino Mediterraneo (Tardo Ellenismo e Primo Impero), Rome: 1-96.
13. Eastern Sigillata Bii Type 58 Base (AD 50 to 125)
P.H. .015. Est. diam. base .095 (1/5 preserved). Th. .0036.
K/L16/17.0427:2. Single base sherd. Micaceous orange-brown (2.5YR 4/6) fabric, red (2.5YR 4/8) slip is worn. Two incised grooves.
image
14. Eastern Sigillata Bii Type 58 Base, fired black (AD 50 to 125)
P.H. .011. Est. diam. base .11 (1/5 preserved). Th. .0038.
K/L16/17.0100:26. Greenish gray (10YR 6/3) fabric with frequent mica. Thick polished black slip on all extant surfaces. Light groove outside of base on exterior.
image
15. Eastern Sigillata Bii Hayes Form 60b (100-150)
P.H. .032. Est. diam. rim .17 (1/10 preserved). Th. .004.
H17.0727:1. Single sherd preserves rim and wall to base. Soft, reddish brown (2.5YR 6/8) fabric with frequent tiny mica. Darker (2.5YR 5/8), thick slip on all preserved surfaces.
Sigillate Orientali, p. 63, tavola 14.5-6. Cf. Zelle 1997, no. 90 for date.
image
Hayes, John. 1985. “Sigillate Orientali” in Enciclopedia dell'arte antica classica e orientale. Atlante delle Forme Ceramiche II, Ceramica Fine Romana nel Bacino Mediterraneo (Tardo Ellenismo e Primo Impero), Rome: 1-96.
Zelle, Michael. 1997. Die Terra sigillata aus der Westtor-Nekropole in Assos Asia Minor Studien 27. Bonn. [worldcat.org]
16. Eastern Sigillata Bii Hayes Form 60b (100-150)
P.H. .042. Est. diam. rim .20 (1/10 preserved). Th. .0055.
K17.0860:49. Single rim sherd. Soft, reddish brown (2.5YR 5/6) fabric with frequent tiny mica. Lighter (2.5YR 5/8) slip on all preserved surfaces.
Sigillate Orientali, p. 63, tavola 14.7. Cf. Zelle 1997, no. 89a for date.
image
Hayes, John. 1985. “Sigillate Orientali” in Enciclopedia dell'arte antica classica e orientale. Atlante delle Forme Ceramiche II, Ceramica Fine Romana nel Bacino Mediterraneo (Tardo Ellenismo e Primo Impero), Rome: 1-96.
Zelle, Michael. 1997. Die Terra sigillata aus der Westtor-Nekropole in Assos Asia Minor Studien 27. Bonn. [worldcat.org]
17. Eastern Sigillata Bii Hayes Form 61, fired black (AD 50-100)
P.H. .025. Est. diam. rim .20 (1/10 preserved). Th. .0035.
z08.0418:3. Two joining sherds preserve rim and part of floor. Gray () fabric with frequent mica. Dark gray, lustrous slip on all surfaces.
Sigillate Orientali, form 61. Same profile at Zelle 1997 no. 78 (in red).
image
Hayes, John. 1985. “Sigillate Orientali” in Enciclopedia dell'arte antica classica e orientale. Atlante delle Forme Ceramiche II, Ceramica Fine Romana nel Bacino Mediterraneo (Tardo Ellenismo e Primo Impero), Rome: 1-96.
Zelle, Michael. 1997. Die Terra sigillata aus der Westtor-Nekropole in Assos Asia Minor Studien 27. Bonn. [worldcat.org]
18. Eastern Sigillata Bii Hayes Form 66 Rim
Est. diam. rim .13.
C29.0473:1. Fabric was originally orange but now white; it had been burned or exposed to water.
First published as Tekkök et al 2001 no. 31. Sigillate Orientali, form 66, plate 14.17.
image
Tekkök, Billur, Susan Wallrodt, Can Yümni Gündem and Charles Brian Rose. 2001. “Two Roman Wells in the Lower City of Ilion. Quadrats C29 and w28,” Studia Troica 11: 85-96.
Hayes, John. 1985. “Sigillate Orientali” in Enciclopedia dell'arte antica classica e orientale. Atlante delle Forme Ceramiche II, Ceramica Fine Romana nel Bacino Mediterraneo (Tardo Ellenismo e Primo Impero), Rome: 1-96.
19. Eastern Sigillata Bii Hayes Form 73 Profile
P.H. .034. Est. diam. rim .081 (1/2 preserved). Est. diam. base .042.
P0546. . Upright rim has shallow grooves inside, a shallow groove outside just above the base, and a deep groove where the base stanfs. Thick, flaking bright orange slip. From the Hadrianic fill of the C29 well.
First published as Tekkök et al 2001 no. 32. Sigillate Orientali, form 73, plate 15.5.
image
Tekkök, Billur, Susan Wallrodt, Can Yümni Gündem and Charles Brian Rose. 2001. “Two Roman Wells in the Lower City of Ilion. Quadrats C29 and w28,” Studia Troica 11: 85-96.
Hayes, John. 1985. “Sigillate Orientali” in Enciclopedia dell'arte antica classica e orientale. Atlante delle Forme Ceramiche II, Ceramica Fine Romana nel Bacino Mediterraneo (Tardo Ellenismo e Primo Impero), Rome: 1-96.
20. Eastern Sigillata Bii Hayes Form 76 variant (100-150 AD)
P.H. .042. Est. diam. rim .030 (<1/20 preserved). Th. .0063.
K/L16/17.0427:1 , K/L16/17.0427:37. Two joining sherds sherd preserving complete profile. Micaceous orange-brown (2.5YR 4/6) fabric, red (2.5YR 4/8) slip. The distinctive features of the vessel are the ESB 76-type “hollow” base and the everted rim with rounded top that has two closely spaced grooves at its midpoint. The rim is also distinguished from the interior wall by a shallow offset. Likewise the floor and inner wall are separated by a groove. In general, the rim of this vessel suggests a large 55, whereas the base is good for a 76. An intermediate form would belong to the early 2nd century.
Cf. Sigillate Orientali, p. 68-69; tavola XV.11.
image
Hayes, John. 1985. “Sigillate Orientali” in Enciclopedia dell'arte antica classica e orientale. Atlante delle Forme Ceramiche II, Ceramica Fine Romana nel Bacino Mediterraneo (Tardo Ellenismo e Primo Impero), Rome: 1-96.
21. Eastern Sigillata Bii Hayes Form 76 (100-150 AD)
P.H. .02. Est. diam. rim .024 (1/10 preserved). Th. .007.
K/L16/17.0467:7. Brown miaceous fabric (5YR 6/6), orange slip (10R 5/8) flaking in places and thickly applied under rim.
Sigillate Orientali, p. 68-69; tavola XV.11.
image
Hayes, John. 1985. “Sigillate Orientali” in Enciclopedia dell'arte antica classica e orientale. Atlante delle Forme Ceramiche II, Ceramica Fine Romana nel Bacino Mediterraneo (Tardo Ellenismo e Primo Impero), Rome: 1-96.
22. Eastern Sigillata B Bowl Base
z06.0007:32. Single base sherd. Stamped floor.
image
General Bibliography
Coldstream, John, L. Eiring and G. Forster. 2001. Knossos Pottery Handbook. Greek and Roman British School at Athens Studies 7. London. [worldcat.org]
Hayes, John. 1985. “Sigillate Orientali” in Enciclopedia dell'arte antica classica e orientale. Atlante delle Forme Ceramiche II, Ceramica Fine Romana nel Bacino Mediterraneo (Tardo Ellenismo e Primo Impero), Rome: 1-96.
Lund, John. 2003. “Eastern Sigillata B: a ceramic fine ware industry in the political and commercial landscape of the Eastern Mediterranean” in Catherine Abadie-Reynal (ed.), Les Ceramique en Anatolie aux Epoques Hellenistique et Romaine, Paris: 125-136.
Wrabetz, James. 1977. “A new Serenus stamping from Sardis and the origins of the Eastern Sigillata B ware,” Harvard Studies in Classical Philology 81: 195-197. [online]