File:A body sherd fragment from a Roman eastern Gaulish samian ware hemispherical bowl. Form Dragendorff 37 dating from AD 180-220. (FindID 1016574).jpg

English: A body sherd fragment from a Roman eastern Gaulish samian ware hemispherical bowl. Form Dragendorff 37 dating from AD 180-220. The sherd has moulded decoration, consisting of medallions with standing figure, (Folzer type 560). The fragment has a pink fabric and is coated in a red slip on both the inside and outside, which has turned black on the inner surface through exposure to heat after firing. The internal fabric remains pale orange-pink but the distorted colouration of the slip certainly suggests it has been burnt in a fire. A similar figure was depicted on a vessel by the potter Marinus iv who was active in Trier AD 180-220.

Dimensions: length: 60.43mm; width: 36.19mm; thickness: 9.00mm; weight: 23.89g.

Similar Drag. form 37 dish on the database are LON-32885E, WAW-F9D786 and LON-97317F​.

Oswald & Pryce (1920:95-96) write "The essential characteristics of this form consist of the hemispherical contour, the plain band beneath the lip (a half-round moulding), and a relatively flat foot-stand." he continues " Appearing first of all in the reign of Nero (Ritterling, Hofheim, p. 231), it rapidly achieved popularity and became the predominant decorated bowl of the second century. Furthermore, it continued to be manufactured right down to the close of the period of decorated Terra Sigillata (Oelmann, p. 25). This late date of its production applies, however, more particularly to the East Gaulish potteries. At Lezoux it would appear to have been extensively superseded towards the end of the second century and the beginning of the third century by applique ware (Dechelette, ii. 167)."

References: Oswald, F. and Pryce, T. Davies 1920. An introduction to the study of terra sigillata, London.

Oswald F., 1937. Index of Figure-types on Terra Sigillata ("Samian Ware"): Issued as a Supplement to The Annals of Archaeology and Anthropology. University Press

de la Bedoyere, G. 1988. Samian Ware. Shire Publications Ltd, Aylesbury.

Webster, P. 1996. Roman Samian Pottery in Britain. Practical Handbook in Archaeology 13. Council for British Archaeology, York.