Kyathos (vessel)
As Kyathos ( Greek κύαθος , Latin CYATHUS , plural Kyathoi , German: Becher ) is a vessel or a tool called, which especially in ancient Greece , and beyond was used.
Initially, the kyathos was a long- handled ladle made of metal . The name was also used for mugs made of clay that had a long handle. This form of kyathos was also used like a ladle to scoop the wine from the mixing vessels into the serving jugs. In addition to the raised loop handles, there is a characteristic thorn at the tip of the handle, on which the scooping person could rest their thumb to better hold the vessel. The ceramic kyathoi are characterized by their thin walls and often also by Greek vase painting . It is almost certain that the ceramic form is based on the metal models. This form was probably adopted from Etruria and primarily produced for export there. The famous potter Nikosthenes , who was also able to combine Attic and Etruscan currents here, was particularly well-known for the production of kyathoi for the Etruscan market . The kyathoi of Daunian production were probably also influenced by Greek and Etruscan works .
The name of the kyathos is certainly causally related to the name of the measure of capacity kyathos .
literature
- Wolfgang Schiering : The Greek clay pots. Shape, purpose and change of form (= Gebr.-Mann-Studio-series) . 2nd, significantly changed and expanded edition. Mann, Berlin 1983, ISBN 3-7861-1325-4 , p. 147.
- Ingeborg Scheibler : Greek pottery art. Manufacture, trade and use of the antique clay pots (= Beck's archaeological library) . CH Beck, Munich 1983, ISBN 3-406-09544-5 , p. 20.
