Ancient Greek vessel: forms and purposes

There are various types of ancient Greek vessels. Dishes at that time were valued no less than gold. In ancient Greece, each vessel had its own purpose. Some containers were used for water, others for oil, and still others for wine. At the moment, about 20 main types of ancient Greek vessels are known.

ancient greek vessel

Vessel kilik

Such an ancient Greek vessel was made not only of ceramic materials, but also of metal. Mostly kilik was used for drinking. As for the shape of the vessel, it is open. Outwardly, the kilik resembled a flat bowl with a leg. Most often, this part of the vessel was made elongated and thin enough. In addition to the legs, the kilik had several pens.

Crater and Psykter

Crater is an ancient Greek vessel for wine. They made it with a wide enough neck. A crater was used, as a rule, for mixing several varieties of strong wines with water. Such a jug was equipped with two handles located on the sides for convenience.

As for the psikter, this vessel had a high leg of cylindrical shape. Thanks to this design, the container was placed in a bowl with a large volume. Most often, the vessel was used to cool drinks, filled it with cold water or ice.

Hydria

This ancient Greek vessel was made only of ceramic materials. However, there are instances created from metal. The shape of the vessel resembled a wide container with a wide neck. Hydria, as a rule, was equipped with two handles, which were located horizontally between the shoulders and the corolla. But this is optional. There were hydrias and with one handle located vertically.

The surface of such containers was often painted. This ancient Greek vessel was used for water, wine and other drinks.

types of ancient Greek vessels

Calpida and Oiohoya

Calpida is a vessel that has been used for water. However, often such a container served as an urn in which the ashes of the deceased were stored.

As for ooinhoia, this vessel was in the form of a jug with a spout. This design made it possible to use the container as dishes for a variety of drinks. More often than not, ojohoya was filled with wine. Near the neck there were three drains. This made it possible to quickly fill glasses with drinks.

Amphora and Pelica

Amphora is an ancient Greek vessel for oil, which had an oval shape. For convenience, the tank was equipped with two handles. Often such dishes were used for wine. However, amphora, like calpida, was often used to store the ashes of the deceased. Also, the vessel was used during the voting. Amphora volume was 26.3 liters. Using such a vessel, the amount of liquid was measured. Such dishes were made of glass, wood, silver or bronze.

In ancient Greece, there were many different dishes. A vessel such as pelica was used to store drinks, oil and bulk products. He had an expanded form from the top to the bottom. Two handles were located vertically on the sides of the tank.

ancient Greek vessel in the form of a horn

Panathenaic Amphora and Lutrophor

There was also an ancient Greek vessel, which was awarded to the winners of the Panathenaic competitions. It was a very valuable gift. Such a vessel was called the Panathenaic amphora. A container was made in Athens. The first mention of such a vessel dates back to 566 BC. Before serving, the container was filled with oil.

Some vessels were used for wedding rituals. This capacity was called lutrophor. The vessel had a high body and a narrow long neck. Lutrophor was decorated with two handles and a wide corolla. The water in this vessel washed the bride before the wedding. This ritual was carried out strictly. After the death of the girl, the lutrophor was put together with the deceased in the grave. After some time, such vessels began to decorate all burial places.

ancient greek vessel for water

Stamnos and Ariball

Stamnos is an ancient Greek vessel, which had a short neck and a wide opening in it. At the edges of the container were handles, thanks to which it was convenient to hold. They kept wine in such vessels.

Ariball is a small vessel in which gymnasts store oil. They carried a container in a bag on a belt. In addition, ariball was used to store perfume ointments.

Alabaster and Pixid

During the excavation, an ancient Greek vessel was often found in the form of a horn, bowl or cone. Alabaster had a very unusual form. This vessel was oblong and had a flat neck, on which a special eye was placed, which made it possible to suspend the container. This was the main feature of alabaster. The bottom of the vessel was neatly rounded. Such dishes were made from alabaster, metal, glass or burnt clay. On the outside, the vessel was decorated with ornaments. Used such a container for storing aromatic compounds.

She had an oval or round shape. A variety of jewelry was stored inside such a vessel. Often the container was filled with spices and ointments. They made pixid of ivory, wood or gold.

ancient greek vessel for wine

Lekif and Scythos

Most vessels in ancient Greece were used to store wine, oil, or ointments. It was convenient and practical. The vessel lecif was used for oil. First, such dishes were made cone-shaped, and then they began to make cylindrical. There was a pen on one side of the vessel. Another feature of the tank is a narrow neck. It is worth noting that lekif was often used for a funeral ritual.

Scythos was commonly used for drinking. This container looked like a bowl with several horizontal handles. The volume of the vessel was 270 ml. The ancient Romans and Greeks used Scythos to measure the amount of fluid.

ancient greek oil vessel

Kanfar, rhyton and kiaf

Some vessels in ancient Greece outwardly resembled a scoop. Kiaf belongs to such dishes. The vessel had a fairly long handle with a curved shape. The tank looked like a bowl that could be put on a flat surface. She kept at the expense of small legs at the bottom of the tank. The volume of the vessel was 450 ml. Used it to measure the amount of bulk products and liquids.

Kanfar is an ancient Greek vessel resembling a goblet. He had a high leg and several handles. They used it mainly for drinking. Legends of ancient Greece indicate that kanfar was an attribute of the god Dionysus himself.

Among the vessels there were also very original specimens. A container called riton had a funnel shape. Often such a vessel was made in the form of the head of a person, bird or animal. For the manufacture of rhyton used metal or ceramic materials.

This is just a small list of the most famous vessels of ancient Greece. For each special occasion, certain dishes were used. As for the material intended for its manufacture, and murals, it all depended on the preferences and material condition of the person.

Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/G28306/


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