Holy Land Terracotta Dish

Herodian Period, c. 100–40 BC, Levant (Holy Land)

A finely potted terracotta dish, remarkable for its elegant simplicity and balanced proportions. Formed from a light brown-orange clay fabric with mica inclusions and coated in a dull red slip, the vessel exhibits a shallow, wide body with vertical walls, a pronounced flange molding, and a gently rounded rim. Subtle wheel marks remain visible along the lower body, preserving the tactile traces of its ancient craftsmanship. The dish rests on a low pedestal foot defined by a small central ridge.

Dishes of this type were commonly used in domestic and ritual contexts throughout the Herodian and early Roman periods, serving both as utilitarian tableware and as offerings in burial assemblages. Its restrained form and refined symmetry reflect the enduring aesthetic sensibilities of Levantine pottery at the twilight of the Hellenistic world.

Good condition. Repaired chip to the rim; otherwise intact. Surface wear consistent with age and use. Areas of lime deposits and root marks present. Size approx. 16,2cm x 16,2cm x 5,3cm. 

Provenance: British private collection.