The name usually given in the signatures on the stamps is that of the maker only; sometimes a slave’s name is added, either above or below the maker’s, or on a separate stamp. The maker’s name usually gives the nomen and praenomen, implying a freedman, and when given in full is seen to be in the genitive; the slave’s name is usually in the nominative. Four typical varieties are given by the following stamps from the pottery of P. Cornelius, with the name of the slave Potus:
POTVS P·CORN POTI P·CORN
P·COR POTVS P·CORN POTI
A difficulty sometimes arises in regard to these two-line stamps when the slave’s name occurs below that of the master, on account of the frequent abbreviations; for instance, it is not easy to say whether such stamps as A·VIBI
DIOM or P·CORNELI
ANTHVS denote one name or two, for there are certain instances where the master has three names.[[3395]] It is always possible that the name denotes a slave become a freedman, as A. Vibius Diomedes or P. Cornelius Anthus, and in Dr. Dressel’s opinion[[3396]] this is the most probable explanation; but the alternative has much in its favour. There are, moreover, stamps such as P·MESEINI
AMPLIO S(ervus) or P·CORNELI
FIRMVS F(ecit) which, of course, leave no room for doubt. In later examples the praenomen is often omitted, and occasionally the praenomen and cognomen are found without the gentile name[[3397]]; there are also a few instances of female names.[[3398]] An exceptional form of signature is given by CINNA C·L·TITI(orum) S(ervus); occasionally also, as in the example from Spain already quoted, FIGVL(us) ARRE(tinus), or simply ARRETI(nus), are found. Sometimes, again, two potters seem to have been in partnership, as Sura and Philologus, L. Gellius and L. Sempronius (L·GELLI L SEMP),[[3399]] or two firms, as the Umbricii and Vibieni.
The simple quadrangular form of stamp is by far the commonest, and, next to this, an outline of a foot; less frequent forms, and of later date, are the circular, oval, or lunate, and other varieties of marks, such as wreaths, stars, or branches. Dr. Dressel gives no less than eighty-seven types from Rome,[[3400]] of which thirty-three are rectangular with ornamental edges. The forms of the letters are not always an indication of date, but such forms as 15
Attic alpha 15
alpha for A, 15
