Ancient Herodian Cooking Pot
Early Roman Period, ca. 37 BCE–70 CE
Dimensions: 3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm) H × 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm) W

An authentic Herodian terracotta cooking pot dating to the Early Roman period, produced during the reign of Herod the Great and continuing through the 1st century CE. This vessel features the classic globular body, upright cylindrical neck, paired loop handles, and closely spaced horizontal ribbing characteristic of Herodian kitchen wares. These ribbed surfaces strengthened the vessel’s thin walls, allowing it to withstand repeated heating over open fires. Such vessels were among the most common household cooking pots throughout Judea during the lifetime of Jesus. 

The vessel displays an attractive reddish-orange earthenware fabric with ancient mineral deposits and authentic surface wear accumulated through centuries of burial. It remains in excellent condition for its age, with expected rim losses and stable ancient repairs and restoration consistent with archaeological ceramics of this period.

A fine and highly collectible example of Early Roman domestic pottery from the Holy Land, representing the everyday life of ancient Judea.

Provenance: Ex. Israel collection; accompanied by Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) Export Approval No. 64728.