Roman Samian Cup, Dr27

Handcrafted Replica Samian Ware Garum Cup – Dragendorff 27 Style

Details

It has long been believed that Romans used these charming little cups across the Empire to enjoy their favourite tipple—wine. However, the esteemed historical food researcher Sally Grainger, best known for her expertise on the Roman fish sauce Garum, has offered an intriguing new perspective.

Through careful study of wear patterns found at the base of small Samian Ware bowls like these, Sally observed signs of repeated stirring, which aligns with ancient serving practices for Garum. The sauce would have been mixed with a small amount of water at the table and stirred before serving, creating the telltale abrasion marks.

This finely crafted replica cup is made in the Dragendorff 27 form, a style widely distributed across the Roman world. Manufactured in Gaul, Samian Ware was produced from fine red illite clay, renowned for its glossy finish and excellent working properties. These vessels were then shipped throughout the Roman Empire—from bustling cities to distant outposts like Hadrian’s Wall.

Whether used for wine, sauces, or as a talking point about Roman culinary culture, this cup evokes the everyday rituals of ancient life.

Materials

Terracotta with red slip finish

Dimensions

Approx. 65 mm high
Approx. 105 mm diameter

Production

Each of these museum-quality replicas has been handmade in Northumberland by Potted History using traditional Roman methods. The pot is fired to over 1,000°C, replicating ancient conditions to achieve an authentic finish.

As with original Roman ceramics, the firing process produces unique surface variations, meaning no two cups are exactly alike. You may not receive the exact cup shown in the photos, but you can be confident that yours will be one of a kind.

Health and Safety

This is a Museum Quality Replica, crafted using the tools and techniques of Roman potters. Like the originals, it is unglazed and porous, which means it will absorb liquids and flavours during use—just as Roman vessels did.

• Not food safe: This vessel does not meet modern health and safety standards for food or drink use.

• For display and experimental archaeology purposes only: If you choose to use this pot for historical reenactment or experimentation, you do so at your own risk.

• Ancient hygiene practices: Roman users relied on heat to clean their cookware. Heating to over 70°C for at least 10 minutes would have killed most harmful bacteria. Boiling (100°C) was even more effective—but please note that modern health guidelines recommend avoiding porous ceramics for food use.

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, items will be shipped together once all are ready.

Shipping

All items are sent via second-class postal service as standard.
If you require first-class shipping, please contact us for a quote.

Bring a taste of Roman daily life into your collection with this beautifully recreated Samian Garum cup – order today!