Greek black-glaze ring askos, Athens, late 5th century BC
Terracotta
Height: 6.1cm, diameter of ring: 9cm, width including the handle: 11cm
11147
Further images
The tubular, ring-shaped body is expertly formed, with a small kick at the base. A thick, circular handle is set on the body at right angles to the near- vertical...
The tubular, ring-shaped body is expertly formed, with a small kick at the base. A thick, circular handle is set on the body at right angles to the near- vertical spout, the latter with a wide mouth. The body has a fine black glaze with some small brownish areas, the flat base is reserved and with a red wash. Sgraffito on the base has a single letter, perhaps a phi or rho. Intact.
The askos (pl. askoi) contained expensive liquids, as indicated by the small size and two main features: its overarching handle or ring handle, and a narrow neck with wide mouth. Ring askoi are a subdivision of this category, and generally had deep bodies with a narrow central tube which ran vertically through the vessel. However, much rarer examples have a wider, doughnut-shaped body.
The askos (pl. askoi) contained expensive liquids, as indicated by the small size and two main features: its overarching handle or ring handle, and a narrow neck with wide mouth. Ring askoi are a subdivision of this category, and generally had deep bodies with a narrow central tube which ran vertically through the vessel. However, much rarer examples have a wider, doughnut-shaped body.
Provenance
Private collection, Paris, France; acquired c.1970Private collection, Wiltshire, UK; acquired December 2013