Section Private Life: “Domestic Activities” (Showcases 9, 13)

Ring-shaped vessels
Ring-shaped vessels are perfume containers, i.e. vessels for transporting perfumes and aromatic oils.
Several have been found at Abdera. Most of them are decorated with painted triangles, dating back to 650-600 BC. They continue to be produced and used until about 450 BC, with a slightly different shape, a more flared body and decoration with simple bands.
Perfume containers of this type were used in the export trade. Their shape is ergonomic. The ring gives them stability, and the rim is sharply concave to avoid unnecessary loss of the precious liquid. This “trend” comes from Ionian workshops.
In archaeological jargon, they are called ring-shaped askoi (flasks) or ring-shaped aryballoi.