Glilarium
Handcrafted Replica Roman Glirarium – Dormouse Fattening Jar
Details
These ceramic jars were used by the Romans to store one of their more unusual delicacies—the Glis glis, or edible dormouse. The largest of all dormice, the Glis glis can reach sizes of 32 cm from nose to tail, including around 13 centimetres of ‘delicious’ body meat (according to the Romans).
Dormice were considered a luxury food, enjoyed by the wealthy elite. Keeping and fattening dormice was an elaborate process, requiring time, effort, and competition, as hosts attempted to serve their guests the fattest possible mice—shaming previous hosts in the process.
The glirarium (plural: gliraria) was specially designed to mimic the burrows of dormice. These ceramic jars featured:
- Internal ledges for placing nuts, fruit, and berries to fatten the dormice
- Ventilation holes to provide sufficient air while limiting light, ensuring the dormice had little to do but eat and grow plump
- A sealed top, likely covered with wood, fabric, or leather, as no ceramic lids have ever been discovered for these jars
Once plump enough, the dormice were served as a delicacy, providing a noble guest with just a few bites of rich, fatty meat.
Materials
Earthenware clay
Dimensions
Height: Approx. 445 mm
Diameter: Approx. 320 mm
Production
This museum-quality replica has been entirely handmade in Northumberland by Potted History, inspired by original ancient artefacts.
- Handcrafted using traditional Roman techniques
- Fired to 1,000°C, replicating the authentic process
- Each piece is unique, with variations in surface colour and texture, just as seen in original Roman pottery
Health & Safety
This is a museum-quality replica, created using authentic Roman-era tools and techniques.
- We do not recommend using this jar to house dormice or any animal.
- This would be cruel—so don’t do it!
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 replica glirarium 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.
