Askos (pottery vessel)

Askos (Ancient Greek ἀσκός "tube"; plural: ἀσκοί - askoi) is the name given in modern terminology to a type of ancient Greek pottery vessel used to pour small quantities of liquids such as oil. It is recognisable from its flat shape and a spout at one or both ends that could also be used as a handle. They were usually painted decoratively like vases and were mainly used for storing oil and refilling oil lamps.

An unusually large askos at the Louvre.

Etruscan askos in the form of a rooster, 4th century B.C., Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

These were extensively traded in and around the Mediterranean. An example of this is UC47602 in the Petrie Museum's collection, which is a Black Glazed vessel with an almost metallic appearance and was originally produced in Greece (the main production was in Attica), Etruria, and was excavated in Memphis.

The original meaning of ἀσκός is wineskin. The early Christian sect of the Ascitae takes its name from them. The Ascodrugitae, however, are unrelated except in a folk etymology.

External links

Media related to Askoi at Wikimedia Commons

• An example