Hi Melis,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

This is a two-handled transport amphora with a pointed toe, a shape characteristic of ancient Mediterranean (especially Greek and Roman) amphorae. It features the characteristic elements of a tall, narrow body with a conical, pointed base (toe) designed to be stuck into sand or racks aboard ships, two vertical loop handles rising from the shoulder to the rim, and a narrow mouth for sealing with a stopper.

This general form was widely used from circa the 6th century BCE through the Roman Imperial period (27 BCE to 476 CE) for transporting wine, olive oil, garum (fish sauce), and grain. Without dimensions or stamps, it’s difficult to assign a precise typology (e.g., Dressel, Lamboglia), but the silhouette firmly places it in the Roman transport amphora tradition.

Collectors typically vary between those who like the barnacle-encrusted appearance (thinking it gives the vessel character and tells the underwater history of the piece) and those who prefer their vessels to have never been underwater (there is some thought that being underwater for centuries can damage the structural integrity of the piece).

These come to auction from time to time and recently, similar examples have sold for between $500 and $1,500, depending on the size and if there are other losses, etc.

Yours is of good size (they could be smaller) but it has a fairly considerable chip loss - some might call that a chunk - at the lip so if this were to come to auction in an antiquities auction by a reputable auction house, this would likely have an estimate of $800-1,200. If you're looking to sell this privately, you might ask $1,500 or even $2,000; if you don't get any offers you can lower the price without risking underselling it.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

An ancient Roman earthenware double-handled amphora
Sixth Century BCE to 500 CE
Of circular section, with two arched handles and tall neck, the tapering body terminating in a modeled toe, extensively covered in marine encrustations; in a wrought iron stand.
Height: 100 cm (39-1/4 inches); diameter: 40 cm (15-3/4 inches)
CONDITION: Heavily marine encrusted
PROVENANCE: Inherited; excavated from the Mediterranean during a dive.
$800-1,200*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia