Terracotta askos (flask with a spout and handle over the top)

Art Historical Context

This charming terracotta askos, small flask with a distinctive spout and arched handle bridging the top, hails from the dawn of the Roman Empire during the Augustan period (early 1st century CE). Standing just over 4 inches tall, it exemplifies the practical elegance of everyday Roman vessels, crafted for pouring oils, perfumes, or liquids in household rituals or personal care. Its modest size suggests intimate use, perhaps in a wealthy villa or temple offering, reflecting the era's blend of functionality and refined simplicity under Emperor Augustus's transformative rule. Made from terracott...