Roman Judean or Colchester Cup / The Holy Grail

 Details

Could this be the Holy Grail? Well… according to Detectorists, it just might be. 😉

We were thrilled to make replicas of this Judean Roman Cup for the Detectorists Christmas special in 2022, the episode where this unassuming little vessel quite literally steals the show. Written by the brilliant Mackenzie Crook, the series is a love letter to quiet obsessions, lost things, and the joy of discovery. And this cup? It became the heart of it all.

But while it played a star role on screen, its story is firmly rooted in real history.

This humble vessel is based on a genuine Judean cup from around AD 30–33, exactly the kind of simple, incised drinking vessel that would have been used in the region at the time of Jesus. Unlike the elaborate, golden chalices often imagined as the Holy Grail, this version reflects the quiet truth of everyday life in the Roman world.

It’s a small pot with a big story, one that blends history, myth, and a touch of festive magic.

Each replica is handmade with care, and every year it becomes a favourite gift and talking point during the festive season.

 To learn a little more about the project and the making process, you can read our short blog, where we explain why you might see fingerprints on your Holy Grail.  Read it here. 

'Add To Cart' items are ready to send straight away. Please be aware that if bought alongside 'Pre-order' items, your order will be sent when all items are ready. 

'Pre-order' items are made to order, and we will dispatch them as soon as we have handcrafted them for you; this usually takes 90 days, but international orders can take a little longer.

Materials

Terracotta and red slip finish 

Dimensions

Approx. 65 mm high, 105 mm diameter

Production

This replica Roman pot has been hand-made in Northumberland by Potted History, based on an original artefact.  It has been fired to a temperature of over 1000 Centigrade to emulate the same techniques that the original potters would have employed nearly two thousand years ago.  This process often results in variations of the surface colour and texture, emulating original Roman Pottery and giving each pot its unique character.  When ordering, you may not get the exact cup photographed, and the colouring may vary slightly.  

Health and Safety

This is a Museum Quality Replica made using the tools and techniques that would have been used during the Roman era.  As this is an unglazed pot with a porous surface, it will absorb some of the flavours during use, adding to the flavour of future beverages.  However, it does also mean that this pot does not meet modern Health and Safety standards, and therefore we do not advise that it is used.  When the Romans cleaned these pots, they relied on applying sufficient heat to the pot to ensure that all bacteria were killed.  Heating to over 70°C for at least 10 minutes would have killed most disease-causing bacteria, and temperatures of 100°C would do even more.

Postage
All items are sent using a second-class postal service; if you wish to have an item sent first-class, please contact us for a quote.  Many Thanks