Greek pottery krater

Greek pottery krater is a type of vessel that was used in ancient Greece for mixing wine and water.  The term "krater" comes from the Greek word "krasis," meaning "mixture."  These vessels played a significant role in Greek symposia, which were social gatherings where men would come together to drink wine, discuss various topics, and enjoy entertainment.

There are several types of kraters, but one common form is the volute krater, which has handles shaped like scrolls (volutes) on either side.  Another type is the calyx krater, characterized by handles that resemble the calyx of a flower.

Kraters were typically made of clay and decorated with various scenes and motifs.  The decorations often depicted mythological themes, everyday life, or rituals.  Black-figure and red-figure techniques were commonly used in the decoration of these vessels.  In the black-figure technique, the figures were painted in a black slip (liquid mixture of clay and water) on the natural red clay background.  In the red-figure technique, the background was painted black, and the figures were left in the natural red color of the clay.

The krater's main function was to mix water and wine in the correct proportions before serving it to the participants of the symposium.  It had a wide and deep body to facilitate easy stirring and mixing of the liquids.  The wide opening also allows for easy access to the contents.  After mixing the wine and water, the mixture would be poured out into cups for consumption.

These kraters not only served a practical purpose but also held cultural and artistic significance in ancient Greek society.  They provide valuable insights into the social and religious practices of the time and are important artifacts for archaeologists and historians studying ancient Greek culture.