Kantharos

As a kantharos (Greek Κάνθαρος, plural kantharoi ) is called an ancient Greek drinking cup-like vessel with two usually limits at the lip, raised, vertical, and wandered far out loop handles. The vessel is closely associated with the cult of the god Dionysos, as its attribute the kantharos also applies.

The shape of the kantharos developed in the Middle Helladic period and was regarded in classical times already as an ancient vase shape. The mold was first produced mainly in Laconia and Boeotia. He was a typical votive offering, but also a cult object in the private sector. In the Geometric period kantharoi found in Boeotia and Attica often as grave goods use. They are usually found in men's graves and are often decorated with military or sporting grounds in the field of funeral games. Since around 600 BC, the typical form developed on high foot out. During this time, the Etruscans took over the form. In Boeotia he remained until in late classical period a popular grave good.

Since the late classical and Hellenistic times, the form is outside the ritual in secular usage. The reference to the male sphere remained until the end of the red-figure vase painting exist, as the pictures show, especially in Boeotia. Even after the kantharoi found increasingly secular use, the reference was to the cult of the dead, there is often. So copies were produced up to 50 centimeters in height as grave essays, as there were kantharoi as illustrations on Boeotian grave stelae again and thus correspond Loutrophoren and lekythoi in Attic grave art. Furthermore, the shape appears frequently in Attic vase painting, here often in the hands of Dionysus or his companions. A special form was called Kopfkantharoi that were designed as plastic containers with the faces of mythological figures. The mold was to Roman times, then also produced in other regions of the empire. In addition to the copies of ceramics now also emerged receptacles made of metal and glass.

The so-called Kabira kantharoi are no kantharoi but skyphoi.

Etruscan Kopfkantharos Group of Chiusi, second half of the 4th century. Louvre.

Southern Italian cantharos the xenon genus, 4th century BC, private collection.

Romano - British Silberkantharos from the Water Newton treasure. British Museum.

Terra sigillata kantharos from Rheinzabern with Barbotine decor, late 2nd century. British Museum.