Roman Terracotta Goblet with Handle - Certificate of authenticity

This handled goblet, or modiolus, offers a direct immersion into the everyday reality of the High Roman Empire. Far from standardized luxury products, this object stands out for its craftsmanship and utilitarian purpose. Crafted in a brick-red clay rich in inclusions, it has a textured, vibrant and tactile surface. The object has come down to us in a remarkable state of integrity, preserving its original form without invasive restoration. Its epidermis is marked by slight erosion and whitish limestone concretions, unmistakable evidence of its long archaeological sojourn, guaranteeing its authenticity and absence of modern artificial polishing.
Features

Object: Handled beaker / Small table jug.

Culture: Roman.

Period: 1st - 3rd century AD (High Empire).

Material: Coarse ware, red paste with inclusions.

Dimensions: Height 89 mm × Width 81 mm.

Condition: well preserved; clean; grainy surface with sedimentary deposits.

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

Authenticity: Certificate supplied.

Historical context
While Terra Sigillata dominated the tables of the elite, common ceramics made up the bulk of tableware in legions and modest Roman households. This sturdy type of beaker was used for the daily consumption of water, cut wine or posca (a mixture of water and vinegar prized by soldiers). Its local manufacture, using unpurified regional clays, bears witness to the local economy of the Roman provinces. The simplicity of these vessels connects us to the intimate, "real" life of the Roman plebs, far from the glitz and glamour of the palaces.
Formal and material analysis of the specimen

Morphology: The piece features a globular body, ensuring good capacity and stability on the table, topped by a wide, cylindrical neck for easy drinking. The handle, a thick vertical ring, is firmly fixed between the lip and the shoulder, sized for a firm grip (with one or two fingers).

Material and texture: analysis of the paste reveals a "common" ceramic: the clay is not decanted, but contains visible mineral inclusions (small white grains of quartz or limestone) which were used as a degreaser to prevent cracking during firing. The surface has a granular appearance and micro-vacuoles (small holes), characteristic of artisanal firing in which the organic matter in the clay has been burned away.

Patina: The warm orange-red color is nuanced by paler areas due to excavation concretions. These limestone deposits, encrusted in the asperities of the ceramic, form a natural patina that attests to its age and protects the original surface.

Cultural value
This beaker possesses the beauty of utility. It is an artifact of social history, documenting the vernacular pottery techniques of the Empire. Its value to the collector lies in its raw authenticity: it is an object that has been used, that has lived, and that presents itself without artifice. Its robustness and state of preservation make it a tangible and moving witness to ancient domestic life.
Traceability & guarantees

History: The object comes from a former private American collection, documented over a period of thirty years (1970-2000), ensuring a stable and legitimate provenance.

Appraisal: The object is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity confirming its dating and cultural attribution.

Ref: RFAZAM4S3E