Middle Corinthian Flask (600-575 B.C.) By far the oldest item in my collection, this primitive flask's round body, disk-shaped mouth and vertical handle all shout "portability" louder than a Prada handbag. And rightly so, because crockery like this, which predates plumbing by hundreds of years, played an essential role in transporting vomit from indoor collection vats to outdoor streams and rivers. I display this piece prominently on my dining room table, where I know it will be safe from activity of any kind.