03 December 2013

A ring-shaped flask


A curiously odd shape for a vessel designed to hold liquids.  I'll bet you can't guess within a century the period when it was crafted (answer below the fold).


This is an aryballos (perfume flask) of Proto-Corinthian manufacture, from ca 680BC-650BC.

From the collections of The British Museum, via A London Salmagundi.

7 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 3, 2013 at 3:06 PM

    This one reminds me of the Hittite Ring Jugs still made in the Cappadocia region in Turkey to this day. The hole would allow the bearer to carry it over the shoulder and underarm and just tilt to pour the liquid out.

    http://www.captivatingcappadocia.com/cappadocia-hittite-wine-jug-chez-bircan/

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  2. AnonymousDecember 3, 2013 at 3:11 PM

    I didn't even guess it into the right _millennium_.

    Lurker111

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  3. HumbabaDecember 3, 2013 at 4:56 PM

    Wooo! While I would have guessed 1700AD, saying I couldn't get it within 100 years made me look closer, and guess pre-Roman, and say 600BC.

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  4. morgannaDecember 4, 2013 at 12:00 PM

    I was within 400 years, in the right millennium. :) I guessed 200 BC.

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  5. Ducky the LoonDecember 4, 2013 at 4:30 PM

    500 BC was my guess. ^_^

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  6. drouseDecember 4, 2013 at 11:44 PM

    Gee, I was going to guess early Michelin.

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  7. UnknownDecember 6, 2013 at 11:31 PM

    Wooooo! I was right(ish)! I first thought of the prolific period in Greece around 400BC but realized the marking style wasn't right. It's more simple, geometric, and worn, so I felt it was earlier. Guessed 600BC to 800BC. Feeling validated for that whole day spent in awe only in the Greek and Roman sections of the NYC Met Museum!

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