93 



bears figures of men and beasts, and various ornaments in relief. 

 They were put on in "slip," that is, after the vessel had been 

 formed, or "thrown," on the wheel, it was allowed to dry, and 

 then "slips" of the same paste, or of a white paste, were trailed 

 on from instruments and formed into figures. Hunting, gladiatorial, 

 and circus scenes frequently occur. 



The Salopian ware was both white and light red, and there were 

 many other local varieties. 



But the best known is the Samian ware, whose potsherds, from 

 their briUiant colour, attract the eye and are gathered up, where 

 the blue-black are overlooked. The Samian ware is of a delicate 

 texture, much like fine red sealing-wax. It is very brittle, and as 

 it was the ordinary Roman table-ware, this accounts for the abund- 

 ance of its potsherds. The vessels of it are generally bowls, cups, 

 and /ff/i?r^ or dishes. Sometimes the vessels are quite plain; at 

 other times highly ornamented in relief, by means of stamps. 

 Borders of ivy leaves; of the egg and tongue ornament; of the 

 tassel and festoon ; and of small patterns of foliage and flowers, 

 frequently occur. Mythological subjects are common ; sacrifices, 

 religious ceremonies, processions, dances of bacchantes and satyrs, 

 combats of gladiators, sports of the amphitheatre, etc., are all 

 represented ; and from potsherds of Samian ware we can gather 

 much information as to Roman dresses, observances, and customs ; 

 and some indicate a very low tone of morality. On Samian 

 vessels we sometimes find reproduced celebrated works of famous 

 artists : thus on a potsherd of Samian ware, found in Carlisle, 

 Mr. Cory discovered a reproduction of the famous statue known 

 as the Venus de Medicis. On a potsherd in the Carlisle museum 

 is a representation of the battle of the pygmies and the cranes. 

 In another is a spirited boar-hunt — a vast wild boar charges 

 a man on horseback, while a dog attacks the boar. 



The potters who made this ware have generally put their stamps 

 on it, giving their names. A list of names found in England, to 

 the number of over looo, was made by Mr. Wright, and new 

 names are daily added to it. From these names antiquaries 



