Greek black-glaze feeder vase, Athens, c.450-425 BC
Terracotta
Height: 5.8cm, width including the spout: 7.8cm, width including the handle: 8.5cm
11027
Charles Ede, London
Further images
The semi-ovoid body has a rounded shoulder, relatively flat upper surface and a small circular filler hole. A large, rounded ring handle is set on the shoulder at right angles...
The semi-ovoid body has a rounded shoulder, relatively flat upper surface and a small circular filler hole. A large, rounded ring handle is set on the shoulder at right angles to the long, narrow, tubular spout, the latter tilted a little upwards. The straight-sided foot flares outwards, the underneath slightly concave and reserved. Intact, a couple of small areas of flaking to the glaze at the lip of the spout and on the foot touched in, the interior with a layer of incrustation.
This class of vessel is characterised by the very narrow, tubular spout set to one side, and by the comparatively covered upper surface. They are so called because a number of these vessels have particular wear to the end of the spout and show signs of tooth marks. It is therefore generally accepted that they were used to feed infants, though a few scholars have argued that they were also used to feed adults who were infirm. Alternative uses have been suggested, perhaps the most plausible being that they were used for filling oil lamps. Either way, the term ‘feeder’ or ‘feeder flask’ has stuck.
This class of vessel is characterised by the very narrow, tubular spout set to one side, and by the comparatively covered upper surface. They are so called because a number of these vessels have particular wear to the end of the spout and show signs of tooth marks. It is therefore generally accepted that they were used to feed infants, though a few scholars have argued that they were also used to feed adults who were infirm. Alternative uses have been suggested, perhaps the most plausible being that they were used for filling oil lamps. Either way, the term ‘feeder’ or ‘feeder flask’ has stuck.
Provenance
Mrs Gardiner-StewartCharles Ede Ltd, London, UK; acquired 4th September 1973, a note states 'reputedly from Chiusi'
Conrad Ascher, Hertfordshire, UK; acquired from the above 9th April 1974
Private collection, UK; by descent from the above
Literature
CompareJ.W. Hayes, Greek and Italian Black-Gloss Wares and Related Related Wares in the Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto, 1984), no.44Also see C.W. Lunsingh Scheurleer, Corpus Vasorum Antiquorum, Pays-Bas - Fasicule 2, Musée Scheurleer - Fasicule 2 (Paris, 1931) IIIL, Style attique à couverte noire, Pl.3, no.7