Carinated Roman jug from the High Empire - Certificate of authenticity

This jug is a representative example of Early Roman coarseware, characterized by a strictly functional aesthetic and a clear architectural profile. The object is distinguished by its pronounced carina, an angular ridge that divides the body into a rounded upper body and a lower cone. The jug is utilitarian in nature, fashioned in a sandy-ochre paste typical of provincial production. The piece bears the mark of its history: an old, stabilized fracture line is visible on the lower body. This trace is a direct testimony to the integrity of the material and its archaeological journey, validating that the object is made from its original re-assembled sherd.
Features

Object: Carinated jug (angular pourer).

Culture: Roman (High Empire).

Period: 1st - 3rd century AD

Material: Coarse ceramics, beige-sand paste.

Dimensions: Height 150 mm × Maximum diameter 115 mm.

Condition: well preserved; old restoration (re-gluing) on lower body; surface with sedimentary deposits.

Provenance: Former private American collection, acquired between 1970 and 2000.

Authenticity: Certificate supplied.

Historical context
Belonging to the broad category of coarse Roman pottery, this jug was essential for everyday serving of liquids on private tables and in taverns. Although less luxurious than Terra Sigillata, this pottery is fundamental to the study of domestic life and local trade networks in the Roman provinces. The carinated shape testifies to a quest for stability and a stylistic influence that favors geometry over organicity, reflecting the Roman taste for order and proportion.
Formal and material analysis of the piece

Architecture and volumetry: The dominant feature is the projecting rim, giving the jug a biconical silhouette. The neck is high, the lip simple and the base annular, ensuring a solid base. The handle is a simple, thick strip, well proportioned to the size of the jug, and functionally attached.

Shaping and patina: The object is lathe-shaped, with the striations partially masked by erosion. The light-colored paste is typical of firing in an oxidizing atmosphere. The surface shows a whitish calcareous veil and localized erosions, indicative of a long stay in the earth.

Archaeological trace (Restoration): The line visible on the lower conical part represents the former fracture point. The fact that the object has been carefully restored and is presented with this historical trace lends a material honesty that adds to its documentary value, illustrating the effort made to preserve the archaeological object.

Cultural value
This jug is a direct and tangible testimony to the practical organization of Roman life. Its carinated shape makes it a clear stylistic marker of the High Empire. Its humble status as a utilitarian ceramic lends an intimate authenticity and historical contrast to the prestige pieces, while demonstrating the ubiquity and efficiency of Roman production.
Traceability & guarantees

History: Its traceability is guaranteed by the fact that it belongs to a private American collection built up over a period of thirty years (1970-2000).

Appraisal: The object comes with a certificate of authenticity, confirming its cultural and chronological attribution.

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