Greek Red-Figure Krater from Apulia, 4th Century BC

A Greek red-figure krater Apulia, 4th BC height: 37.5 cm.…
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A Greek red-figure krater Apulia, 4th BC height: 37.5 cm. Provenance: Acquired from Arte Primitivo, Howard S. Rose Gallery, New York, in 1997

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  • Krater - A Greek krater is a large vessel that was used in ancient Greece for mixing wine and water. The word "krater" comes from the Greek word "kraino," which means "to mix." In ancient Greece it was considered bad form to drink undiluted wine.

    Kraters were used in symposia, or Greek drinking parties, where they were placed in the centre of the room and used to mix wine with water. The mixture was then poured into individual cups and served to the guests.

    Kraters were often elaborately decorated with scenes from mythology or daily life, and could be made from a variety of materials, including ceramic, bronze, and marble.

    There were several different types of kraters in ancient Greece, and they can be grouped according to the shape of the two handles, or of the vessel itself:

    • A Volute krater has handles shaped like the volutes on an Ionic capital, whereas a column krater has columnar handles.
    • A calyx krater is shaped flower bud, while a bell krater is shaped like a bell.
    Kraters were an important part of Greek social and cultural life, and their decoration and style evolved over time as Greek art and society changed.

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