"Fritillus" - Dice-Cup or Amphora Stopper?

3D Model

From the Roman villa at Vacone, a well-preserved example of a so-called fritillus, sometimes called an amphoriskos. These enagmatic objects have been variously identified as dice-cups, intended to prevent cheating in gaming, or as amphora stoppers. The former interpretation is supported by a burial in Bevagna (Umbria) where a bone die was found in situ within the vessel. As the latter, the have been interpreted as aids for removing cork or wood stoppers (using the mouth) or as a kind of suction cup (inserting the foot) to vacuum seal the contents for freshness. The Ship Museum in Pisa displays them as both, depending upon size. Alternatively, they have also been identified as unguentaria for ointments or perfume, or simple drinking vessels (unlikely given their inability to rest on the pointed base).

This example measures about 11.5 cm long with an opening on average 1.5 cm wide. The narrowness of the opening would obviously limit the size of any dice placed within, suggesting another function.