Loutrophoros

The Loutrophoros or Loutrophore (Greek ἡ λουτροφόρος Loutrophoros HE ) is a special form in the Greek fine ceramics. It is distinguished from the characteristic long neck with the two specially privileged handles.

The Loutrophoros was used for the storage of water during the marriage as well as the burial ritual, and is therefore similar to the lekythoi or Lebes Gamikos in the Cult of importance. It is found, therefore, also very numerous in the graves of unmarried women. The Loutrophoros was also mounted on the grave stone itself either as molded in stone vase or as a relief, such as on a stele, which is called a Panaetius of the deme Hamaxanteia. Other examples were found at the Kerameikos in Athens.