An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c16.s20: 11.20 Arretine Ware
An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c16.s20
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11.20 Arretine Ware
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The Arretine Ware, a red-glazed ware, varying from sealing-wax to deep orange-red in colour, derives its name from the place of its manufacture Arretium, modern Arezzo in Italy. It belongs to a class of pottery known as *terra sigillata*, ‘the stamped pottery’, because it is decorated by being pressed into a stamped mould. *Terra sigillata* originated in the e. Mediterranean region in the 2nd century B.C. and continued till later times. The Arretine Ware representing the highest category of *terra sigillata* had its origin probably in the 2nd century B.C. and disappeared in about A.D. 50. It was widely traded outside the Roman empire as well as within it. In India it was for the first time discovered at ARIKAMEDU, where a date of A.D 20-50 has been proposed. This narrow dating has helped in the dating of the vast mass of local pottery and provided basis for the dating of ARIKAMEDU itself. Altogether some 40 sherds of the ware have been recovered at the site out of which 22 are from stratified deposits. The shapes represented are footed flat-based dishes and footed cups. Three bear potters’ stamps at the base, respectively VIBII, CAMVRI and ITTA.
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Wheeler, R.E.M., 1946, in *AI*, 2, pp. 34-40.—K.V. RAMAN