10 ROMANO-BRITISH SETTLEMENT AT CHIGWELL.
GLASS.
Glass has been found only in fragments, but enough of one
vessel (No. 13) remains to show the characteristic flat handle and
general form in use in the Roman period.
Tablets Nos. 21, 22, and 23 show fragments of glass. One
bead will be noticed on No. 21.
COINS.
It is understood that many years ago coins and a bronze
statuette were found, and forwarded to the then lord of the manor;
but of late years it is believed that only a small number of coins,
and those undecipherable, have been discovered. Tablet No. 24.
WHITE WARE.
Some fragments of a white ware of fine texture may be noted
on Tablet No. 25 ; this, as well as the red-grey ware, may be of
local manufacture. There is, or was till recently, a small quantity
of white earth, not unlike pipe-clay in appearance, at the brick
and tile works adjoining Abridge, about a mile northwards.
Occasionally, figures 6 to 9 inches high, representing Venus or
some other Roman goddess, have been found in London, these
being made of just such clay, almost resembling plaster.
PORTIONS OF AMPHORAE.
The Roman amphora was a vessel for holding wine, oil, or
other liquid, and varied as much in size as in the uses to which it
was put. Hardly any excavation is made of the site of Roman
settlements which does not yield examples, whole or in fragments.
The most common forms have pointed or globular bases ; as
these would not stand unsupported it is probable the vessels
were sunk into the earth in the houses, the even temperature
thereby attained tending to preserve the liquid contents. When
removed from its partial burial, the amphora must have been
supported in a stand. These vessels are frequently of great size,
one in Colchester Museum being 45 inches high, while another is
67 inches in circumference. They are furnished with two handles,
the potter's mark frequently being stamped on one. Nos. 27, 32,
and 38 are portions of the lips of amphora. No. 44 is a handle
stamped with potter's mark.
EARTHENWARE DISCS.
Nos. 29 and 30 are earthenware discs or roundels, the bases
of broken vessels from which the projections have been rubbed or
ground away. It is suggested that they were used in games or
as toys by children.
CULLENDERS.
Nos. 36 and 37 are portions of cullenders, or strainers, probably
used by the cook in the preparation of vegetable food, etc. They
are made by perforation of the base of flat vessels of earthenware.