Campanian Black-Glazed Guttus, 450 BCE - 300 CE
Terracotta
5.5 x 5.25
PF.0079
Further images
Athena, goddess of wisdom and war, guards this lovely oil lamp filler (called an guttus) arrayed in a most splendid helmet. She was an ingenious deity and credited with the...
Athena, goddess of wisdom and war, guards this lovely oil lamp filler (called an guttus) arrayed in a most splendid helmet. She was an ingenious deity and credited with the discovery of olive oil, which this vessel may have contained. Her magnificent image was perhaps meant to frighten away evil spirits, and to guarantee that the lamps filled from its spout burned brightly and safely. When we place our finger into the loop handle where ancient hands rested centuries ago, we are caught up in the impressive beauty of the piece, just as the original owners certainly were.