Cothon with asciform termination handles

Ultima modifica 26 ottobre 2023

The cothon (or kothon) represents a vascular form very widespread in the Picenum area up to the 5th  cent. BC. It has been variously interpreted under the functional profile: we can assume that the cothon was used as a perfume burner or was an object connected to spinning and weaving of fabrics given the preponderant presence of it in female tombs.
The artefact found in tomb nr 3 of Grottazzolina has a particular axe shape of the handle.
This cothon has three bulges, or protuberances, two on the sides of the handles and one diametrically opposite to it; it was made with clay molded according to the  technique called "colombino" which consists in rolling up long strings of clay, widening it or tightening it to give a shape to the jar.
The neck is just hinted while the hem is widely flared.
The vase is almost 9 cm high and was found in tomb nr  3 where a woman was buried with a rather rich trousseau that, in addition to pottery, was composed of bronze, bone and amber jewelry.
Dating: first half of sixth century BC