Ca. 350 BC.
A group of three black glaze Guttus, two of these are decorated on the top with a relief head of Gorgons and the third one with a face of an old lady with elaborate hairstyle. The particularly beautiful, uniform, and shiny black glaze was created to mimic bronze vessels. These vessels were likely used to contain perfumes or scented oils, as indicated by the narrow neck designed for controlled dispensing. For similar see: Met Museum access number 1971.11.10.
The Guttus, as we know it today, is the result of a long evolutionary process that began with the first Corinthian Aryballoi and the Attic Lekythoi. These vases were characterised by a globular body and a narrow neck that had the function of containing and dispensing perfumed oils. It is a vase with functions related to beauty and consequently a delicate decoration has always characterised it. In the guttus, the main decoration is found in the upper part where we often find faces of gods or mythological figures, but also scenes of everyday life. Oil lamps throughout the Roman period also took shape from this vase.
Size: 105-120mm x 85-90mm; Weight: 665g
Provenance: Property of a central London gallery, previously acquired on the Dutch art market; Ex. Frederik Van Driel, Maastricht 1993. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.