File:Roman , Samian Ware Vessel Sherd (FindID 568363).jpg

English: A fragment of a wheel thrown ceramic vessel of Roman date, circa AD 43 - 400. The fragment is a body sherd from a Terra sigillata, or samian ware, vessel and is of Dragendorff Type 37. The fabric is orange with a soft soapy texture and a glossy red slip on both interior and exterior surface. The exterior surface is decorated with stamped decoration featuring military standards and a circumferential band. The letters "N OF" (OF ligated) are visible and represent a makers mark or advertisement for the workshop in which the vessel was made with "OF" standing for "Officina or workshop.

Terra sigillata are the classic fine wares of the early Roman period with roots which stretch back to the mid first century BC in Italy. The earliest sigillata wares in northern Europe are from the Italian workshops or their offshoots, with later imports from the factories of South, Central and Eastern Gaul. Small workshops also operated in Britain during the second century AD.

The fragment is 57.4mm long, 46.9mm wide, 10.6mm thick and weighs 30.4g.

Thanks are extended to Adam Parker, Collections Facilitator at The Yorkshire Museum, for assistance with the identification of this object.