Clibanus / Testum

Handcrafted Replica Roman Clibanus (Portable Oven)

Details

Feeding an army is no easy task. The Romans solved this challenge by making each soldier responsible for their own rations. Each contubernium—a group of eight soldiers who lived together in a tent—shared a basic set of cooking utensils. Among these, one of the most vital pieces of equipment was the clibanus (or testum)—a portable clay oven designed for baking bread.

These ingenious ovens allowed Roman soldiers to bake fresh bread while on the march, providing them with an essential source of sustenance.

The baking process was simple yet effective:

1. The clibanus was gently warmed near the fire to prevent thermal shock.
2. Once preheated, it was placed in the embers with bread dough inside.
3. Hot coals were heaped on top of the lid to evenly distribute heat.
4. After about 30 minutes, the result was beautifully baked bread, crisp on the outside and soft within—just as Roman soldiers would have enjoyed nearly 2,000 years ago.

Materials

• Terracotta

Dimensions

• Height: Approx. 200 mm
• Diameter: Approx. 290 mm

Production

This museum-quality replica has been handcrafted in Northumberland by Potted History, faithfully recreating the original Roman clibanus. It has been fired to 800-1000°C to replicate the authentic Roman firing process, resulting in unique variations in colour and texture—a signature feature of original Roman pottery.

Health & Safety

• This is a museum-quality replica made using authentic Roman-era tools and techniques.
• As with the original, it is unglazed and porous, meaning it will absorb flavours over time.
• Not food safe: This vessel does not meet modern health and safety standards for cooking or baking.
• When used historically, Roman cooks ensured food safety by applying sufficient heat—heating food to over 70°C for at least 10 minutes would have eliminated most harmful bacteria, while 100°C or higher would have provided further protection.

Ordering Information

• 'Add to Basket' Items: Ready to ship immediately.
• 'Pre-order' Items: Handmade to order within 90 days (longer for international orders). If your order includes both 'Add to Basket' and 'Pre-order' items, they will be shipped together once all items are ready.

Shipping

• Standard shipping: Sent via second-class postal service.
• Faster delivery: If you require first-class shipping, please contact us for a custom quote.

Own a piece of Roman history—order your handcrafted clibanus today!