Eastern sigillata a
Encyclopedia
In archeology, eastern sigillata A (ESA) is a category of late Hellenistic and early Roman terra sigillata
. In 1957, Kathleen Kenyon
introduced categories A, B
, C
, to classify eastern sigillata without determining the exact place of manufacture. For ESA, still no production centers have been identified but distribution patterns suggest an origin in northern Syria. ESA is distinguished by the fineness of its fabric, which stands out as very pale in comparison to the deep red-slip that usually covers all surfaces. When fully applied, the slip is of a consistent color and thickness across the vessel. There are many examples on which the thickness of the slip varies considerably or on which firing is inconsistent and very dark in patches. A full range of plates, bowls, cups and jugs was produced. Early forms develop in the context of an eastern Mediterranean Hellenistic Koine, while later products are influenced by trends originating in Italian workshops. Many ESA forms are mold-made and exhibit distinct delineation between walls and floors as well as elegantly curved exterior and base profiles. A further technical feature is the frequent occurrence of a "double-dipping streak
" that is the result of, first, one half of a vessel being dipped in dilute slip
and then the other half being similarly treated. The consequent overlap produced a line of thicker slip that became visibly darker during firing.
Terra sigillata
Terra sigillata is a term with at least three distinct meanings: as a description of medieval medicinal earth; in archaeology, as a general term for some of the fine red Ancient Roman pottery with glossy surface slips made in specific areas of the Roman Empire; and more recently, as a description...
. In 1957, Kathleen Kenyon
Kathleen Kenyon
Dame Kathleen Mary Kenyon , was a leading archaeologist of Neolithic culture in the Fertile Crescent. She is best known for her excavations in Jericho in 1952-1958.-Early life:...
introduced categories A, B
Eastern sigillata b
Eastern sigillata B is a category of Early Roman terra sigillata. Workshops have been identified in Tralles in western Asia Minor....
, C
Eastern sigillata c
Eastern sigillata C, also known as Çandarli ware, is a category of Late Hellenistic and Early Roman terra sigillata. The best known production center is at Çandarli, ancient Pitane....
, to classify eastern sigillata without determining the exact place of manufacture. For ESA, still no production centers have been identified but distribution patterns suggest an origin in northern Syria. ESA is distinguished by the fineness of its fabric, which stands out as very pale in comparison to the deep red-slip that usually covers all surfaces. When fully applied, the slip is of a consistent color and thickness across the vessel. There are many examples on which the thickness of the slip varies considerably or on which firing is inconsistent and very dark in patches. A full range of plates, bowls, cups and jugs was produced. Early forms develop in the context of an eastern Mediterranean Hellenistic Koine, while later products are influenced by trends originating in Italian workshops. Many ESA forms are mold-made and exhibit distinct delineation between walls and floors as well as elegantly curved exterior and base profiles. A further technical feature is the frequent occurrence of a "double-dipping streak
Streak (mineralogy)
The streak of a mineral is the color of the powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. Unlike the apparent color of a mineral, which for most minerals can vary considerably, the trail of finely ground powder generally has a more consistent characteristic color, and is thus...
" that is the result of, first, one half of a vessel being dipped in dilute slip
Slip (ceramics)
A slip is a suspension in water of clay and/or other materials used in the production of ceramic ware. Deflocculant, such as sodium silicate, can be added to the slip to disperse the raw material particles...
and then the other half being similarly treated. The consequent overlap produced a line of thicker slip that became visibly darker during firing.
See also
- Eastern sigillata BEastern sigillata bEastern sigillata B is a category of Early Roman terra sigillata. Workshops have been identified in Tralles in western Asia Minor....
(ESB) - Eastern sigillata CEastern sigillata cEastern sigillata C, also known as Çandarli ware, is a category of Late Hellenistic and Early Roman terra sigillata. The best known production center is at Çandarli, ancient Pitane....
(ESC) - Eastern sigillata DEastern sigillata dEastern sigillata D is a Roman-period tableware, or terra sigillata, produced in Cyprus.-Further reading:...
(ESD)
Further Reading
- 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.
- Slane, Kathleen. 1997. “The fine wares” in Sharon Herbert (ed.), Tel Anafa II,i, Ann Arbor: 247-416.