Campanian Black-Glazed Guttus

A Gorgon head ornaments the top of this guttus. Typical of the vessel's unique style it has a very long spout, ridged at the end, and a short handle on the side. The bulbous body has a series of vertical striations around the middle, contrasting to the smooth base that is composed of two sections exposing the orange clay. The very long spout suggests the guttus was used as a filling-vessel for oil lamps, though some scholars have speculated it was intended as a feeding bottle for infants. Certainly functional whatever its original purpose, this vessel offers an example of ancient ingenuity and the ceramic artist's skill. – (PF.5390)