Greek, Roman and Byzantine Pottery at Ilion (Troia): Pontic Sigillata

Vessels originating from the various sigillata production centers of the northern coast of the Black Sea are grouped under the term "Pontic Sigitllata." Zhuravlev () provides a relatively up to date introduction to the production of red-slipped vessels in these regions. The Nicopolis ceramic report () discusses and illustrates many examples of related forms circulating in Bulgaria. Other occurrences of these wares at Ilion are published at , no. 37, where the identification is tentative, and at , nos. 39 and 40.

1. Pontic Sigillata Bowl Hayes III (late 1st to early 2nd century AD)

P. H. .038. Est. diam. rim .16 (1/20 preserved). Th. .005.

K18.0010:29. SC09-3a. Single sherd, profile. Very fine reddish-brown (2.5YR 6/8) with only tiny lime inclusions. The thick bright orange slip is thicker on and under the rim, and is cracking in both places. [Note exterior profile needs to be adjusted.]

Cf. p. 93, tavola XXIII. Similar profile at no. 149; no. 1481.

2. Pontic Sigillata Bowl

P. H. .035. Est. diam. rim .15 (1/4 preserved). Th. .0037.

K-L16-17.0090:3. Single rim sherd. Fine reddish-orange fabric (2.5YR 6/8) with few tiny inclusions but a single observed void. Bright orange (nearest 2.5YR 5/8 but more orange) slip more thickly applied on interior. One row of stamped leaves above incised groove on exterior wall.

Illustration
Photograph
Photograph

3. Pontic Sigillata Cup with Garland Decoration

Th. .0037.

K17.0937:49. Two joining body sherds. Stance uncertain. Compact fabric with feint reddish (2.5YR 6/8) core turning slightly more brown towards surfaces. Occasional small voids, essentially no other visible inclusions. Thin matte darker orange (around 2.5YR 5/8) slip on preserved surfaces, even darker in thicker patches. Decorated with garland appliqué.

Cf. , nos. 1474-1477; p. 143 and fig. 4.5e.

4. Pontic Sigillata Cup with Thorn Decoration

Th. .0037.

K17.0140:1. SC09-3b. Single rim sherd. Slip thicker and darker under rim and in patches on exterior. Slip also extends over rim interior (indicated by gray on illustration). Three extant vertical applied "thorns".

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.

Kenrick, Philip. 1985. Excavation at Sidi Khrebish Benghazi (Berenice). Volume III, 1 Supplements to Libya Antiqua 5. Tripoli. [worldcat.org]

Malamidou, Vaitsa. 2005. Roman Pottery in Context: Fine and Coarse wares from five sites in north-eastern Greece British Archaeological Reports International Series 1386. Oxford. [worldcat.org]

Zhuravlev, Denis. 2002. “Terra Sigillata and Red Slip Pottery in the North Pontic Region (a Short Bibliographical Survey),” Ancient Civilizations from Scythia to Siberia 8.3/4: 237-309. [online]