Mortaria, of which three examples have been given (Figs. [168 to 170]), formed another extensive class of domestic vessels. Their use appears to have been the pounding and beating up, for culinary purposes, of vegetables and other articles. Some of the examples which have been found bear unmistakable signs of long and hard use. Their inner surface was studded, while the clay was soft, either with small fragments of quartz or with scoriæ of iron, so as to promote trituration. The example (Fig. [198]) is of somewhat different character, having more upright, and somewhat higher, sides than usual. It has been much used.
Another of the more usual of the domestic vessels, of Romano-British manufacture, is the very convenient kind of basin (Fig. [199]), which will be seen to be of the same general shape as Fig. [171]. The form of this basin is infinitely better, more elegant, and more convenient than those in use among us at the present day. The central flanged rim is a very secure and handy arrangement for holding. This example, and the mortarium (Fig. [198]) were found together—in fact, inverted one into the other—in the churchyard at Chesterfield, in Derbyshire. Many other varieties of domestic vessels were also extensively made, but to these it is not necessary farther to refer.
Fig. 210.—Walesby.
Fig. 211.—Walesby.
Fig. 212.—Headington.
Fig. 213.—London.