Bulbous Beaker with Ivy Tendrils

Bulbuous beaker of light brownish clay coated with a black slip ("color-coated"). The decoration on the belly consists of ivy tendrils applied "en barbotine," i.e. in diluted clay. The tendrils are framed by and extend over two bands of "rouletting," which consists of rows of vertical strokes impressed with a rotating tool (1). The slip is partly abraded on exposed areas of the barbotine decoration. 1. For vessels with a similar barbotine patterns of ivy, see the Catalogue of Roman Pottery, British Museum (1908), fig. 77 (M131) and 78 ((M133).