Two handled table amphora with narrow, tall neck, and oval handles. Thickened, everted rim with rounded lower profile; the narrow neck flares slightly; two oval handles extend from low on neck to shoulder, a pronounced ridge on neck at level of handle attachments, three ridges just above handle attachment on body form two grooves. Painted decoration is partially extant. Three large circles in dark paint are at least partially extant on body below level of handle. The most clear readable pattern suggests radiate spokes in same dark paint with red strokes between, there may have been 12 spokes in this circle. On the smaller sherd, a circle with spokes in varied dark to red pain is partially extant, though chipping and wear obscures the design; a curvilinear dark stroke intersects with one spoke. The third circle is extant only as a short stretch of the outer diameter. There is a single cross stroke in dark pain on the extant handle. Two small patches of dark paint are preserved on the neck just above the ridges that separate it from the body.
Fabric, firing, and surface description
Granular fabric is fired to light red (10R 6/8) though some paler patches visible in break). There are frequent large rounded lime chunks, as well elongated and angular light chunks, some other small to tiny varied bits; occasional small, elongated voids. Surface worn and chipped, though some original light wash extant, slightly darker than fabric.
Preservation comment
Two non-joining sherds preserve rim, neck, and one handle, and upper wall. Non-joining sherd can be oriented by the presence of handle stub where lost handle was attached to body; this places opposite to the extant handle. Slight, extensive erosion and abrasion with large chips around edges; worn breaks; numerous specks of encrustation.
Published as
KenchreaiIV, p. 117, no. RC 21, pl. 27 (B. Adamsheck)
“KE 863 (Late Roman Egyptian Painted Jar).” In Kenchreai Archaeological Archive, edited by J.L. Rife and S. Heath. The American Excavations at Kenchreai, 2013-2024. <http://kenchreai.org/ke/ke0863>