Animorphic terracotta vessels probably used to feed infants at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston in Houston, Texas

Animorphic terracotta vessels probably used to feed infants at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston in Houston, Texas. 

Although not currently on view, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston has several excellent examples of animorphic terracotta vessels that were probably used to feed infants in the fourth to third centuries BCE in Apulia, a Greek colony in southern Italy.

According to Greek mythology,  Cronus, Zeus’ father, used to swallow all of his children immediately after birth so Rhea, Zeus’ mother, deceived Cronus by giving him a stone wrapped to look like a baby.  Then she sent Zeus to a goat-shaped nymph called Amalthea to be nursed.  Perhaps this myth was the reason ancient spouted vessels used to feed infants, like those in the museum's collection, were often shaped like animals. 

Recent studies conducted on the residue found in Bronze and Iron Age spouted animorphic vessels unearthed from infant burial grounds in southeast Germany also revealed the importance of milk from domesticated animals in the feeding or weaning of ancient infants.  These vessels would have facilitated the weaning process.

Fathers’ and mothers’ devotion to young children is well documented in Roman literature. One of the most detailed descriptions of parental love at this time comes from Plutarch.  His little two-year-old daughter, Timoxena, died and Plutarch wrote a letter of consolation to his wife that is still extant.

"There is a special savor in our affection for children of that age; the freedom from any crossness or complaint. She herself too had great natural goodness and gentleness of temper: her response to affection and her generosity both gave pleasure and enabled us to perceive the human kindness in her nature… our daughter was the sweetest thing to fondle, to watch, and to hear; and we ought to let the thought of her also dwell in our minds and lives, for there is much more joy in it than sorrow." (Pomeroy, 1999, pp. 59–60).

Doe vessel with spout 500-301 BCE Apulia (South Italy) courtesy of MFA, Houston

Mouse terracotta vessel with spout 400-300 BCE Apulian MFA, Houston

Mouse terracotta vessel with strainer and spout 400-300 BCE Apulian MFA,Houston

All images courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas.

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