4 Greek Pottery Shapes and Their Uses

If you are looking for a unique and iconic way to decorate your home or office, you should consider the benefits of decorating with ancient Greek art replicas. Here at Museum Replicas, we are able to provide you with high-quality replicas of some of the most beautiful works of art throughout history, including ancient Greek pottery.

The Main Categories

Although there is a wide variety of different types of Greek pottery, they can be collected into four main categories based upon uses.

• Transport and Storage Vessels: These vessels are used mainly to transport liquids from one location to another securely, with some of the most common examples of storage and transport vessels including the pyxis, the pelike, the amphora, the hydria, and the pithos.
• Jugs and Cups: These are vessels created for the express purpose of drinking, some of the most common examples include the loutrophoros, the phiale, the kantharos, and skyphos, and the oinochoe.
• Mixing Vessels: These vessels were used to combine multiple liquids together, such as during festivals, feasts, or other gatherings. The two main examples include the dinos and the krater, which come in many variations.
• Cosmetic Vases: These were used to store oils, perfumes, and other products. The two most common examples include the smaller aryballos or alabastron and the larger lekythos.

4 Greek Pottery Shapes and Their Uses

If you are trying to figure out exactly which Greek pottery example is right for you, it may be helpful to take a closer look at a few specific examples. Some examples of the most commonly displayed types of Greek pottery are:

• The Amphora: This is one of the most popular styles of Greek pottery. This beautiful work of art always has two symmetrical, vertical handles, which are often attached to a narrow neck and a wide body. Some of these vessels even come with lids. In the past, they were used to transport and store liquids. For example, someone might use an amphora when they were traveling to the aqueduct to get water or if they were bringing wine to a party. In some cases, this vessel was also used to transport solids such as olives and greens.
• The Krater: Another popular example of Greek pottery, this is intended as a mixing vessel. One of the most common uses of this vessel involves mixing wine with water in order to properly dilute it for consumption. There are numerous variations of the Greek krater, such as the bell krater or the calyx krater, and each one had a slightly different purpose. Additionally, this specific vessel was typically decorated with a great deal of ornamentation.
• The Kylix: This vessel was almost always used to drink water or wine. Many historians believe that the shape of this vessel was copied from similar pottery from ancient Asia; however, kylices had the addition of handles and a flared base. Often, there was an ancient image painted on the bottom of these vessels as well. This image would be concealed while the vessel was full, and drinkers would reveal the image to others in the room when emptied.
• The Funerary: These were typically placed on a grave site to indicate the elite status of the of the deceased, and could hold any votive offerings brought by mourners. This specific type of vessel always has works of art on it surrounding the vessel. The imagery around the vase would range from depictions of Gods their feats, to popular Greek tragedies, as it was believed that if great heroes were able to survive life’s sufferings, they would be able to as well.

If you are still unsure of exactly which vessel would work best in your home or office, then please feel free to contact us, and speak with our professional staff.

Purchase High-Quality and Authentically Crafted Replicas

If you would like to display beautiful ancient Greek art in your home or office, then you need to think carefully about which works of art you would like to choose. You need to make sure that they are authentically crafted replicas, using authentic methods and techniques.

At Museum Replicas, we have worked hard to study every aspect of Ancient Greek art. That way, we are able to replicate, carefully and meticulously, the precise craftsmanship of these exquisite works of art. Contact us today to learn more about our Greek pottery replicas!