Guttus shaped foot with sandal

This guttus of attic ceramics made of black varnish was found carrying out trawling off the Vila beach, probably the boat that was carrying it lost it before reaching port. The gutti are small containers shaped like parts of the human body or animals. These vessels are very common in Greek culture, although they are imitated by other cultures such as the Iberian or Punic. 
 
The term guttus is the name given by the classical authors (from the 1st century BC) to containers that had a mouth opening so small that its contents could be poured drop by drop. These containers were used to contain oil or perfumes and were used both in daily life, to fill the lanterns with oil, for personal hygiene, for exercise..., as well as in funeral and religious rituals to anoint the body of the deceased and even as part of the trousseau.
 
This vessel is shaped like a right foot with a sandal, very typical footwear in Greek times. It consists of a leather, wood or rope sole, to which leather strips were also attached and left the foot almost completely exposed. On some occasions the sole was trimmed to the shape of the sole of its owner, this made each pair unique. A lion's head is represented on the heel part. There are many parallels of gutti in the shape of a foot, but the left foot is always represented, there is only one example of a right foot, like this one, which appeared in the Iberian town of Puntal dels Llops (València).  
 
Subaquatic find in front of the Vila beach.
Chronology: 3rd century BC
Height: 78mm; length: 155 mm; width: 53 mm.
Nº Inv. Vilamuseu 022621