Archaeological Museum of Bologna

Saucepans are small containers with deep tank and horizontal ribbon handle, often enriched with decorations. These containers were widespread in the first and second centuries AD in the whole territory of the Empire and not yet known the exact function.

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Casseroles were very common in the 1st–2nd century AD, across Roman territory, but the exact function is not known. It is unlikely that they were used for cooking, since they never show traces of flames, but it has been suggested they were used for preparing wine during banquets or for measuring liquids or corn. The upper surface of the long handle on this specimen is decorated with a thyrsus surrounded by tendrils and has a potter’s brand: Hann(i), that is to say “by Hannus”.

Provenance: Palagi Collection
Datation: 1st–2nd century AD
Material: bronze
Dimensions: height cm 6; diam cm 12,6
Inventory #: Rom 1337