Samian ware

Sherds of Samian ware

Samian ware is a kind of bright red Roman pottery. It has nothing to do with the island of Samos but was once thought to have originated there, and the name has stuck, at least in British usage. Other names are terra sigillata, the name commonly used in continental Europe, and Arretine ware, from Arezzo in Italy, where Samian ware probably did originate.

Famous production centres include Lesoux in Gaul, Rheinzabern in Germany and Colchester in England.

External link

Roman pottery database