Leilão Bidspirit | Roman bowl

Roman bowl - ITEM: Bowl MATERIAL: Pottery CULTURE: Roman, North Africa PERIOD: 4th – 6th Century A.D DIMENSIONS: 50 mm x 290 mm diameter CONDITION: Good condition, repaired PROVENANCE: Ex German private collection, L. W. R., acquired before 1970s Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice. Roman North African bowls from the 4th to the 6th centuries AD are a fascinating archaeological and historical subject, reflecting the complex cultural and economic interactions in this region during the Late Antiquity period. These centuries witnessed a transition from the Roman Empire to the Byzantine Empire, and North Africa played a crucial role in this transformation. North African pottery, including bowls, provides insights into the changing political, economic, and cultural dynamics of the time. One significant type of pottery from this period is the African Red Slip Ware, known for its characteristic red slip (a red, glossy surface) and finely decorated designs. These bowls were widely produced in North African pottery workshops and exported throughout the Mediterranean. They often featured intricate motifs, including geometric patterns, floral designs, and even Christian symbols as Christianity became more prominent in the region. The exchange of these bowls served not only utilitarian purposes but also acted as a form of cultural exchange and status symbol. The transition from Roman to Byzantine rule in North Africa is reflected in these ceramics, with some showing a shift in style and iconography that aligns with Byzantine artistic influences. The 4th to 6th centuries in North Africa were marked by political and economic changes, including the Vandal invasions and later the Byzantine reconquest. These shifts are mirrored in the pottery production of the time.