Roman Baby Bottle or Oil Lamp Filler. Tettinae

Handcrafted Replica Roman Tettina – Inspired by Ancient Baby Bottles

Details

These unusual and intriguing vessels have long been thought to be Roman baby bottles, although some scholars have also suggested they may have been used to fill oil lamps.

This charming vessel, known as a Tettina (plural: Tettinae), was used throughout the Roman Empire as a drinking vessel for infants. Chemical analysis of residue on original artefacts has confirmed that many once contained milk.

Though relatively rare in Britain, Tettinae have been found in regions with a strong military presence—areas with larger Roman citizen populations. Sadly, these vessels are frequently discovered in the graves of infants, leading some to suggest that they may have been difficult to clean and potentially contributed to illness. However, research into this theory is limited, and it is more likely that these bottles were placed in graves as a loving gesture—to nurture the child in the afterlife.

The Roman custom of placing a drinking vessel in adult graves is well documented, and it is likely that these infant-sized vessels were intended to serve a similar symbolic purpose.

Materials

• Terracotta with a red slip finish

Dimensions

• Height: Approx. 125 mm
• Width (widest point): Approx. 100 mm

Health & Safety

This is a museum-quality replica and is not intended for use.

• Do not use this vessel to feed a baby, an ill person, or anyone else.
• Modern baby bottles and feeding equipment have been developed with centuries of research and are designed to be safe and hygienic. Please use those instead!

Ordering Information

• 'Add to Basket' Items: Ready to ship immediately.
• 'Pre-order' Items: Handmade to order within 90 days (longer for international orders). If your order includes both 'Add to Basket' and 'Pre-order' items, they will be shipped together once all items are ready.

Shipping

• All items are sent via second-class postal service as standard.
• If you require first-class shipping, please contact us for a custom quote.
• Postage Note: All items are carefully packaged to ensure they arrive in perfect condition.

Own a piece of ancient Roman history with this beautifully handcrafted replica Tettina. Order today to add this rare and fascinating vessel to your collection!