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The Colchester Vase

The so-called 'Colchester Vase' was found in 1848 in a Roman grave at West Lodge, Colchester. It dates from c. AD 175 and was probably made in Colchester. As well as a hunting scene it depicts four gladiators. Above each gladiator is inscribed a name, Secundus, Mario, Memnon and Valentiunus. It is one of the finest pieces of ceramic art to have survived from Roman Britain.