Oxfordshire Redware Bowl

Handcrafted Roman Bowl – Oxfordshire Redware Style with Painted Slip Decoration

Details

This striking Roman bowl has been crafted in the Oxfordshire Redware tradition, a distinctive style recognised for its smooth red finish and slip-painted designs. Pottery of this kind was widely produced and distributed during the Roman occupation of Britain, with large-scale kilns operating in the Oxfordshire region, supplying finely made domestic wares to villas, military sites, and urban centres alike.

What sets this piece apart is the addition of white slip decoration, painted by hand to echo the kinds of simple yet elegant patterns found on original Oxfordshire wares. While clearly a functional kitchen and serving item, this bowl also reflects the Roman belief in finding pleasure in the everyday. A vessel like this would have sat comfortably on a Roman table, used to serve bread, fruits, grains, or perhaps a warm stew—all the while adding a decorative flourish to the moment.

This piece offers a blend of utility and visual charm, reminding us that the ancient Romans appreciated craftsmanship and aesthetics even in the most practical of items.

Materials
Terracotta earthenware with hand-painted white slip decoration

Dimensions
Height: Approx. 100 mm
Diameter: Approx. 220 mm

Production

This museum-quality replica has been handmade in Northumberland by Potted History, based on original Roman forms:

• Thrown by hand and shaped using traditional tools

• Fired to 800°C – 1000°C under reduction conditions, replicating the firing techniques of Roman workshops

• Decorated using hand-applied white slip, just as Roman potters would have done

• Each bowl is unique, with variation in tone, texture, and brushwork, offering a truly individual piece for your collection

Health & Safety

This is a Museum Quality Replica, created using the same tools and techniques used in the Roman era.

• Not food safe: The surface is unglazed and porous, meaning it will absorb moisture, oils, and flavours over time. It does not meet modern health and safety standards for use with food or drink.

• For display or experimental archaeology use only: While some choose to use these items practically, they do so at their own risk.

• In the ancient world, these pots were often heated with their contents to ensure hygiene. Temperatures of 70°C for 10 minutes or more would have killed most bacteria, with 100°C offering greater protection.

Ordering Information
‘Add to Basket’ Items: Ready to ship immediately
‘Pre-order’ Items: Handmade to order within 90 days (longer for international orders). Orders that include both types will ship together once all items are ready

Shipping
Sent via second-class postal service as standard
For first-class delivery, please contact us for a custom quote
Postage Note: Each item is carefully packaged to ensure safe arrival in perfect condition

Whether admired for its beauty or appreciated as a connection to daily life in Roman Britain, this bowl is a timeless example of how the ancients combined artistry with function.