Gallo-roman Sherd - Apuleius The Golden Donkey - Ist IIId Cent

This is an archaeological fragment of a shaped piece made in Gaul between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD Sigillated terracotta -  The sigillata ceramic is a fine ceramic intended for table service, used in Roman Antiquity. It is characterized by a red varnish baked in an oxidizing atmosphere. The decorations are in relief, moulded, printed or added. Some pieces bear stamps, hence the name, sigillée coming from sigillum, the seal. The technique was introduced to Italy from the Hellenistic Near East (2nd century BC). The conquest of Gaul by César, the organization in provinces by Auguste brought the presence of many legions. This presence created a market, and led to the opening of factories in Gaul. There were several large production centers: Lyon, Graufensenque (Aveyron) and Lezoux Auvergne (Arvernes territory). Our fragments come from an auction in Clermond Ferrand; They probably come from workshops in the Lezoux region.