Campanian Pottery- Black Gloss Ware: Black Gloss Guttus
Inv. No.: 72.003
Provenance: Campania
Date: late 4th century BC
Height: 44mm
Diameter: 100mm
This guttus has a low, rounded cushion-like body and a ring foot. The flat, closed top has a central depression framed by a flanged ring. There are five holes in this central depressed area. The strap, ring-shaped handle is set on the shoulder. At right angles to this is the narrow, oblique spout. It is tubular in shape with a slightly thickened end. The body is decorated with vertical grooves. The vase is dull black in colour, thin in places and abraded from part of the body and one side of the handle. Part of the central ring is cracked.
Function:
Gutti were probably used to fill lamps with oil.
Manufacture:
A wheel-made vase with a handle that has been shaped by hand.
Decoration:
- In the centre of the body is a grooved ring with raised edges enclosing a depressed circular area with five strainer holes.
- From this ring radiates six rib patterns. Each consists of two grooves with sharply defined edges and a central ridge.
Bibliography:
Antiquities, Charles Ede Catalogue, 84 (1972), 16.
Kanowski, M.G., The Antiquities Collection, catalogue, Department of Classics and Ancient History, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, 1978, 53.
Comparanda:
Breitenstein, N. and K. Friis Johansen, Corpus Vasorum Antiquorum, Danemark 7, Copenhague 7 (1955), IVE, Plate 289, 2, 3 (similar). , Italia 29, Capua 3 (undated), (III) IV, E g, Tavola 15, 3, 5, 6 (similar vases).
Corpus Vasorum Antiquorum
Hayes, J. W., Greek and Italian Black-Gloss Wares and Related Wares in the Royal Ontario Museum: A Catalogue, Toronto, Royal Ontario Museum, 1984, 113 (similar shape; no strainer).
Metzger, I. R. et al, Corpus Vasorum Antiquorum, Schweiz 5, Svizzera 5 (1979), Tavola 54, 53 (similar).
Rocco, A., Corpus Vasorum Antiquorum, Italia 22, Napoli 2 (undated), (II) IV, E, Tavola 24, 9, 11 (similar vases).
Wisseman, S. U., Corpus Vasorum Antiquorum, USA 24, Illinois 1 (1989), Plate 64, 9 (very similar vase).