North Africa, circa 3rd century A.D. A globular red slip ware amphoriskos or bottle with tapering neck, everted rim, two D-section ear-handles and splayed podium foot, decorated with two appliqué fronds arranged vertically either side of each handle and animals and figures between them; one face showing a nude and muscular figure of Hercules holding a billowing cloak, a lion leaping on a wild boar above; the other face showing the god Pan or a satyr, a hare bounding left above. Cf. The British Museum, museum number 1997,0402.3, for similar; Charleston, R.J., Roman Pottery, London, 1955, pp. 21 - 23, pl. 23B. 149 grams, 15 cm high (6 in.). The Cyrus collection. Property of Fay Safani, New York, USA. Acquired by Edward Safani in the 1980s. With Bonham's, Knightsbridge, London, 23 October 2012, lot 148. Apanied by a copy of the relevant Bonham's catalogue pages. African red slip was the final development of terra sigillata. It was characterised by a thick orange-red slip over granular fabric, and decorated either plainly with simple grooves or, as visible here, more elaborately with either applique reliefs or stamped motifs of palm leaves, animals, humans, or mythological scenes. [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions .]