A Crater's description

This is а wide and shallow shaped, broad mouthed, ancient drink container. Water and wine was mixed in it. The crater is divided into various types according to the shape of its handle and body. Column craters began to be made from the beginning of the 5th century B.C. In the potteries in the Attic region in the 6th century B.C., handles were shaped in the form of a spiral or volute. This type of crater is also called a spiral or volute crater. Bell shaped and kalix craters are two well-known types.

Craters were mainly decorated with scenes and were made of fired clay and also of marble and from various metals. They were frequently used for religious purposes and were placed in graves as offerings. In the Roman age wealthy people used to display them in their houses as ornamental vases.