Roman, early Imperial Period, ca. 1st century BCE to 1st century CE. A large terracotta transport amphora in the Dressel 1B style, with an elongated bottom spike, a cylindrical body, rounded shoulders which taper gently into a flared, tubular neck, and a collared rim. The purpose of this amphora was likely for storing wine. The surface roughness as well as areas of encrustations suggest this vessel was likely found in a damp environment or near the sea, rather than in the sea which would have resulted in far greater encrustation development. Custom painted wrought-iron display stand included. Size: 11" W x 38" H (27.9 cm x 96.5 cm); 45.25" H (114.9 cm) on included custom stand.

After more than two centuries of bottling Italian wine in classic Roman shape amphorae, Italian potters found inspiration in the shape of amphorae from the Aegean island of Kos. This shape had a much better weight-to-capacity ratio; it was shorter and had thinner walls than older types. As a result, it could fit more easily into the ships which drove Mediterranean trade. Dressel 1B types have been found as far afield as the British Isles, though they were prevalent mostly throughout Western Europe in areas of France and Switzerland.

Though production of the Dressel Type 1 variants led to the development of Dressel Types 2 – 4, its success necessitated the creation of additional pottery workshops in other provinces like Gaul and Spain. Once these other provinces began creating and distributing other versions of the form and, thus in turn, their own wine, Italian vineyards lost their monopoly on the Mediterranean. By the time wide-scale production ceased on the Roman Dressel-type amphorae, the nature of the Roman wine trade had changed completely, thanks mainly to the technological advances given by its elegant shape.

Provenance: private Davis collection, Houston, Texas, USA

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#132784

Repairs to bottom of conical base, large upper portion of neck, and areas of both arms, with small chips, adhesive residue, and some new material along break lines. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age and use, small chips to base, body, handles, neck, and rim, with some discoloration, and light encrustation deposits, otherwise excellent. Nice earthen deposits and light encrustations throughout.