An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c16.s18.1

v1.c16.s18.1

Megarian bowls are reckoned as a *tera sigilatta* of the classical world. They begin to occur from the end of the 3rd century B.C. in the Hellenized countries of the e. Mediterranean and the Aegean. Although commonly but rather erroneously known as Megarian bowls, they are a variety of the Samian ware. They are of extremely fine fabric and their colour is sealing-wax red and surface glossy. The bowl was first turned on the wheel and then pressed into the mould to receive the decorative pattern in relief. The decorative motifs are usually floral but human and animal figures also occur. The bowls therefore clearly appear to have been inspired by metalwork: it is interesting to note that silver bowls of this general type have been found in Iran and lower Egypt. The manufacture of the bowls appears to have spread after being popularized in the great centres such as Alexandria, and they occur virtually all over the Hellenistic world.