Terracotta askos (flask with a spout and handle)

Unknown

4th century BCE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

The guttus and askos are two kinds of flask for liquids, often probably oil. In Southern Italy they may assume figural forms of some complexity. These examples show Black African youths in unguarded moments. The vertical spout of the guttus has been turned into the neck of an amphora against which the boy leans dozing. The sack-like askos is transformed into a youth who subdues a duck.

Artist

Unknown

Date

4th century BCE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek, South Italian, Campanian

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1941