Casgliadau Arlein

Conjoining sherds from a globular bodied vase, with two small handles springing just above the shoulder, three ridges on the neck, and an everted, flat-topped lip. This has been identified as 'black samian' in Catherine Johns' article in Monmouthshire Antiquarian (volume 1, part 3): "The ware is thin and slightly micaceous. It is buff-coloured towards the exterior of the vessel, and slightly pink toward the inside. The part-coloured effect is common on black samian due to the degree of reduction in the kiln, the position of the vessel, and other technical factors. The slip is black, but thin and rather dull. It is worn on the relief of the decoration, probably not intentionally." The figure on the vase is in fairly high relief. "The figure is moving to the left, both his hands raised, with the left clasping a staff. The corpulent form and bald head suggests that he represents Silenus or a satyr."

Globular bodied vase (jar)