Clibanus / Testum
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- Inventory on the way
Handcrafted Replica Roman Clibanus (Portable Oven)
Details
Feeding an army is no easy task. The Romans solved this challenge by making each soldier responsible for their own rations. Each contubernium—a group of eight soldiers who lived together in a tent—shared a basic set of cooking utensils. Among these, one of the most vital pieces of equipment was the clibanus (or testum)—a portable clay oven designed for baking bread.
These ingenious ovens allowed Roman soldiers to bake fresh bread while on the march, providing them with an essential source of sustenance.
The baking process was simple yet effective:
- The clibanus was gently warmed near the fire to prevent thermal shock.
- Once preheated, it was placed in the embers with bread dough inside.
- Hot coals were heaped on top of the lid to evenly distribute heat.
- After about 30 minutes, the result was beautifully baked bread, crisp on the outside and soft within—just as Roman soldiers would have enjoyed nearly 2,000 years ago.
Materials
- Terracotta
Dimensions
- Height: Approx. 200 mm
- Diameter: Approx. 290 mm
Production
This museum-quality replica has been handcrafted in Northumberland by Potted History, faithfully recreating the original Roman clibanus. It has been fired to 800-1000°C to replicate the authentic Roman firing process, resulting in unique variations in colour and texture—a signature feature of original Roman pottery.
Health & Safety
- This is a museum-quality replica made using authentic Roman-era tools and techniques.
- As with the original, it is unglazed and porous, meaning it will absorb flavours over time.
- Not food safe: This vessel does not meet modern health and safety standards for cooking or baking.
- When used historically, Roman cooks ensured food safety by applying sufficient heat—heating food to over 70°C for at least 10 minutes would have eliminated most harmful bacteria, while 100°C or higher would have provided further protection.
Ordering Information
- 'Add to Basket' Items: Ready to ship immediately.
- 'Pre-order' Items: Handmade to order within 90 days (longer for international orders). If your order includes both 'Add to Basket' and 'Pre-order' items, they will be shipped together once all items are ready.
Shipping
- Standard shipping: Sent via second-class postal service.
- Faster delivery: If you require first-class shipping, please contact us for a custom quote.
Own a piece of Roman history—order your handcrafted clibanus today!
SHIPPING
'Add To Cart' items are ready to send straight away. Please be aware that if bought alongside 'Pre-order' items, your order will be sent when all items are ready.
'Pre-order' items are made to order, and we will dispatch them as soon as we have handcrafted them for you; this usually takes 90 days, but international orders can take a little longer.
We ship our fabulous replicas worldwide.
Shipping costs are worked out during checkout. They are based on where you are in the world and how heavy your parcel is, which can be very variable.
All items are sent using a second-class postal service. If you wish to have an item sent first class, please contact us for a quote. Many Thanks
RETURNS
If you aren't completely satisfied with your Potted History piece, please get in touch to organise a return. Email us at
clare@rothburycreates.co.uk
Then you can send it back at your own cost in an unused condition within 30 days, and we'll refund you for the cost of the item or items returned. If you include your order number with the returned package, that will speed things up. Please leave any original packaging intact.
Our returns address is:
Potted History, Gregory Court, Rothbury, Northumberland, NE65 7SW
PRODUCT VARIATION
Please be aware that due to items being handmade and finished, colour variations will occur during the making process, and each replica will have some differences. Also, know that the item photographed may not be the one that you receive, and colours can appear differently on different screens. Please ensure you look at all the images to get a fully formed idea of the item you are ordering as we try to capture the variations within the images we share. If you prefer a specific colour variation, please contact us before ordering.
