Samian ware is the fancy red pottery associated with the Romans – or as they would have called it Terra Sigillata. Most of the fine table ware that turns up in England comes from Gaul but it was also made in Colchester. The latter was not as durable as the crockery from Gaul because the clay wasn’t the same quality. The red colour comes from a mineral in the clay called illite.

The pot at the start of the post was made in or around Colchester in about 1705 AD, during the Roman period depicts gladiators including ventures who fought animals and a lightly armed retiarius. It was buried as part of someone’s grave goods and rediscovered by the Victorians and earned itself the name ‘the Colchester Vase”. It was thought for many years to have been an import but its now recognised as a locally produced vase, made by a master craftsman, to perhaps celebrate a special event – perhaps the self same gladiatorial games depicted on the vase.

Perhaps rather less grand, but rather more fun is this duck’s head spout which can be found in Derby’s museum. It was made by a Romano-British potter and was probably fired in one of Derby’s Roman kilns.

And finally – meet Bert Oswald, found near Bird Oswald on Hadrian’s Wall. The stone figure is a Genius Cucullatus, or ‘spirit in the hood’. They turn up on carvings in groups of three, so Bert may be missing a couple of friends. The spirits are thought to be associated with babies and children because of their hoods or with healing. The one at Bird Oswald is carved from stone but they were also made from clay or from metal.

To my horror, all my other photos of Roman pottery, Hadrian’s Wall and various mosaics are trapped on an external hard drive that I can’t access.