Terra sigillata

Terra sigillata

Terra sigillata is a decorating medium used on ancient Middle Eastern and Mediterranean ceramics, and has experienced a resurgence in popularity in contemporary studio ceramics. "Terra sig" can be made from any kind of naturally occurring clay, mixed as a very thin liquid slip and settled to separate out only the finest particles to be used as terra sig. When applied to greenware (unfired) clay surfaces, terra sig can be polished with a soft cloth or brush to achieve a shine ranging from a smooth silky luster to a high gloss. The polished surface can only be retained if fired within the low-fire range and will lose its shine if fired higher, but can still display an appealing silky quality. Traditionally, terra sig was only used on low-fired earthenware.

Terra sigillata (or "sealed earth") is a name for two distinct items in antiquity. First, it is one term by which Samian ware was known. Secondly, it was a term for a medicinal soil from the island of Lemnos.

The latter was called "sealed" because cakes of it were pressed together and stamped with the head of Artemis. Later, it bore the seal of the Grand Signior. This soil's particular mineralic content was such that, in the Renaissance, it was seen as a proof against poisoning, as well as a general cure for any bodily impurities, and it was highly prized as a medicine and medicinal component.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Terra sigillata — Terra sigillāta (lat.), s. Bolus …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • Terra Sigillata — Römische Terra Sigillata …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Terra sigillata — Römische Terra Sigillata TS Formschüsseln im Terra Sigillata Museum Rheinzabern …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Terra sigillata — Recipientes de terra sigillata. Terra sigillata (abreviado en algunos contextos como TS) es una expresión latina que significa tierra (o cerámica) sellada , referida a un característico tipo de cerámica romana de color rojo brillante. Es similar… …   Wikipedia Español

  • terra sigillata —    Also called Samian pottery, terra sigillata is a Mediterranean ceramic ware decorated with relief figures, first produced about 300 BCE, having evolved from the Etruscan s black pottery called bucchero ware. Terra sigillata is Latin, literally …   Glossary of Art Terms

  • Terra sigillata — Tẹrra sigillata   [lateinisch »gesiegelte Erde«, zu sigillum »Abdruck des Siegelringes«] die, , feine, glänzende Keramik der römischen Kaiserzeit, in der Regel mit eingestempelten Fabrikantennamen (häufig als Tafelgeschirr), meist mit glatter… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Terra sigillata — Ter|ra si|gil|la|ta die; <aus lat. terra sigillata »gesiegelte Erde«; <nach dem aufgepressten Herstellersiegel> Geschirr der röm. Kaiserzeit aus rotem Ton, mit figürlichen Verzierungen u. dem Fabrikstempel versehen …   Das große Fremdwörterbuch

  • Terra-Sigillata-Museum — Das Terra Sigillata Museum in Rheinzabern Daten …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • terra sigillata ware — ▪ Roman pottery       bright red, polished pottery used throughout the Roman Empire from the 1st century BC to the 3rd century AD. The term means literally ware made of clay impressed with designs. Other names for the ware are Samian ware (a… …   Universalium

  • Terra Sigillata — Céramique sigillée La céramique sigillée est une céramique fine destinée au service à table caractéristique de l Antiquité romaine. Elle se caractérise par un vernis rouge grésé cuit en atmosphère oxydante, plus ou moins clair et par des décors… …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”