Plate Fragment with Venator (Hunter)

Plate Fragment with Venator (Hunter)

This fragment comes from the flat rim of a large round African red slip ware open dish/bowl. On its upper surface it is decorated with an applique motif of a venator holding a large barbed spear. It is, however, unusual in that he is wearing armour and his spear is very ornate. The original rim was probably narrow. While it is flat on its upper surface it is slightly concave on the lower surface and it curves around and down at the outer edge producing a curved overhang or hook at the bottom of the lip. The lip profile slopes outwards from top to bottom and there are two horizontal grooves running along the lip edge. Another groove runs just inside the lip on the upper surface of the fragment. These characteristics suggest that the piece probably comes from a late version of Hayes Form 52B. The clay marks can be seen on the lower surface of the piece. As well, there is some light coloured incrustation, especially in the grooves of the molding and on the broken edges.

Function:
Part of a bowl decorated with motifs illustrating activities that took place in the amphitheatre, notably staged combat between man and wild beasts or venationes.

Decoration:
The figure of the venator is frontal with a profile had, facing left. The head overlaps the groove that runs around the outer edge of the rim. The motif is finely modelled but there is some loss of detail, possibly due to damage or distortion that occurred when it was attached to the rim. The head is particularly lacking in detail. He seems to have short hair and his brow line is clearly visible but the rounded form on the cheek seems too large and prominent and is perhaps some form of guard. If this is the case, he may be wearing a helmet. The fragment includes the top part of the body down to the upper part of his left leg. His bent right knee can just be seen near the lower edge of the piece, protruding beyond a skirt with curved vertical relief redges. The latter either represent the folds of the bottom of a short tunic or they may indicate that the skirt is made from strips of leather. The top half of his body is covered with an elaborate garment, probably armour, and he holds a large spear with both hands at waist level, his right hand in front directing his aim while his left arm thrusts from behind. The armour has a round boss enclosed within four relief concentric circles covering his right upper arm and sholder. A vertical row of dots passes down the middle of his chest to the left of a vertical curved ridge, perhaps indicating the edge of this metal chest guard. His left arm protrudes beyond the guard. Horizontal relief lines around the forearm and suggestions of a shoulder guard may indicate that he is wearing a protective manica on this arm. This structure seems to be held in palce by a strap that passes across his chest and disappears beneath the armour.The strap has a scallped left-hand edge and is decorated with dots.
The spear is held horizontally. It has an elaborate pointed end with many barbs and a rough outline overall.

El Djem, Tunisia

Moulding

83.085

350-380 CE

27x90 mm

Terracotta

Purchased from B. A. Seaby Ltd, London, 1983.