A pottery amphora stopper resting beside a small clay cup - someone just poured. Period: Roman antiquity, 1st c. BCE - 3rd c. CE.
Roman amphorae were sealed with a fired clay or cork stopper held by pitch (defrutum resin). When opened the stopper was set aside on the closest surface. This prop captures that quiet pause - stopper and cup fused into a single small object suitable for ludus rest scenes, taberna counters, or mensal corners.
Painting tips
- Terracotta: warm orange-brown, wash darker into rim and base.
- Stopper: drier, more matte clay tone with a thin pitch ring.
Historical sources & further reading
- Ostia Antica taberna finds
- Pliny (amphora sealing)
⚠ Small parts. Not suitable for children under 14.





