Ancient Greek Pottery Guttus (No reserve price)
06
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10
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31
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Current bid
€ 15
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 400 - € 500
 | €15 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €10 | |
| €1 |
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Ancient Greek pottery guttus from the 4th–3rd century B.C., in good condition, 60 x 80 mm, from a Swedish private collection; authentic original piece with Certificate of Authenticity and export license.
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Description from the seller
ITEM: Guttus
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Greek
PERIOD: 4th - 3rd Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 60 mm x 80 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex Swedish private collection, acquired between 1955 - 1975
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license
Hellenistic pottery refers to ceramic artifacts produced during the Hellenistic period, which spanned from the death oA guttus (derived from the Latin gutta, meaning "drop") is a specialized small oil vessel from classical antiquity, designed specifically to dispense precious liquids drop by drop. Flourishing particularly during the Classical and Hellenistic periods—most notably in Attica and Magna Graecia (Southern Italy)—these delicate ceramic containers fulfilled crucial functions in domestic life, athletics, and religious rituals. Their precise flow control made them ideal for dispensing perfumed oils, filling oil lamps (lychnoi) without spillage, or serving as feeding vessels for infants and the sick.
Morphologically distinct from other ancient pottery forms, a typical guttus features a low, squat reservoir with a wide disc-like body, a small ring handle or loop, and a narrow, elongated tubular spout. Many examples, particularly black-glaze wares from Apulia and Campania, feature relief decorations pressed into the top central medallion (medallion emblema), depicting mythological motifs such as the head of Medusa, gods like Hermes or Dionysus, or athletic iconography. The underside often contains a small air hole, allowing the user to control the vacuum and precisely meter the liquid flow by covering or uncovering the aperture with a thumb.
Arthistorically, gutti represent a fascinating shift towards subtle surface textures and metallic imitation in late Classical and Hellenistic ceramics. Rather than relying on painted figure scenes, potters frequently coated these vessels in a lustrous, metallic black slip and added fine vertical fluting (ribbing) along the body, intentionally mimicking expensive silver or bronze prototypes. Today, preserved gutti serve as excellent examples of ancient ergonomic engineering, demonstrating how Greek craftsmen harmonized refined decorative aesthetics with practical, daily utility.
Seller's Story
Your Antiquarian offers ancient art and ancient coins. Our main objective is to offer the highest quality at the best price respecting and strictly complying with the laws of heritage protection and UNESCO heritage norms. Therefore, all the pieces that are published come from private collections in which the provenance can be checked or international auctions. All our antiquities and coins are accompanied by their Certificate of Authenticity. We have a no quibble 90 day return policy. At Your Antiquarian we are committed to helping disadvantaged groups and for this reason a portion of each purchase is donated to charities to help people in need.
Translated by Google TranslateITEM: Guttus
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Greek
PERIOD: 4th - 3rd Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 60 mm x 80 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex Swedish private collection, acquired between 1955 - 1975
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license
Hellenistic pottery refers to ceramic artifacts produced during the Hellenistic period, which spanned from the death oA guttus (derived from the Latin gutta, meaning "drop") is a specialized small oil vessel from classical antiquity, designed specifically to dispense precious liquids drop by drop. Flourishing particularly during the Classical and Hellenistic periods—most notably in Attica and Magna Graecia (Southern Italy)—these delicate ceramic containers fulfilled crucial functions in domestic life, athletics, and religious rituals. Their precise flow control made them ideal for dispensing perfumed oils, filling oil lamps (lychnoi) without spillage, or serving as feeding vessels for infants and the sick.
Morphologically distinct from other ancient pottery forms, a typical guttus features a low, squat reservoir with a wide disc-like body, a small ring handle or loop, and a narrow, elongated tubular spout. Many examples, particularly black-glaze wares from Apulia and Campania, feature relief decorations pressed into the top central medallion (medallion emblema), depicting mythological motifs such as the head of Medusa, gods like Hermes or Dionysus, or athletic iconography. The underside often contains a small air hole, allowing the user to control the vacuum and precisely meter the liquid flow by covering or uncovering the aperture with a thumb.
Arthistorically, gutti represent a fascinating shift towards subtle surface textures and metallic imitation in late Classical and Hellenistic ceramics. Rather than relying on painted figure scenes, potters frequently coated these vessels in a lustrous, metallic black slip and added fine vertical fluting (ribbing) along the body, intentionally mimicking expensive silver or bronze prototypes. Today, preserved gutti serve as excellent examples of ancient ergonomic engineering, demonstrating how Greek craftsmen harmonized refined decorative aesthetics with practical, daily utility.
Seller's Story
Your Antiquarian offers ancient art and ancient coins. Our main objective is to offer the highest quality at the best price respecting and strictly complying with the laws of heritage protection and UNESCO heritage norms. Therefore, all the pieces that are published come from private collections in which the provenance can be checked or international auctions. All our antiquities and coins are accompanied by their Certificate of Authenticity. We have a no quibble 90 day return policy. At Your Antiquarian we are committed to helping disadvantaged groups and for this reason a portion of each purchase is donated to charities to help people in need.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Ancient Greek
Century/timeframe
4th - 3rd Century B.C
Name of object
Guttus
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Pottery
Country acquired from
Sweden
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
1955
Previous owner - country acquired from
Sweden
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
