#ancient dish

Noted food historian Sally Grainger prepares an ancient Roman dish using Ferula drudeana during an experiment at Istanbul’s Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden. “Silphion is a fascinating plant, and I can understand why the Romans craved it,” she says.

[ID: A black plate, seen from above; it has a gold border of leaves, and in the center is a woman in a sleeveless ankle-length gown. She is holding a deep vase in one hand and what looks like a deep krater or wine cup in the other; the wine cup is outstretched over an altar as if she has just picked it up. Behind her is a spear with a decorative garland wrapped around it.]

~Rock Crystal Dish in the Form of a Temple. Date: 3rd–5th century Culture: Roman or Byzantine Medium: Rock crystal