kantharos
A footed bowl with two high-curving vertical handles set on each side.
Shape: The handles usually curve above the level of the lip and sometimes with an inward curl towards the lip. The lip and the bowl form a continuous curve, and the bowl is usually set off from the tall-stemmed foot. Of the four major types, type A is has been illustrated (see Illustration).
History: The shape is not common in Athenian black-figure, and is more often seen held by Dionysos in representations on vases. There are several variations within this type of cup. The immediate origin of the kantharos is not clear, but it has a long and early history in Boeotia. In its early development it is closely related to the cup. The Protogeometric kantharos has low handles and a conical foot. During the Geometric period this foot is rejected in favor of a tall stem. At this time the handles rise above the lip. The characteristic shape first appears in Etruscan bucchero in the late seventh or early sixth century B.C. It is then adopted by Attic and Boeotian potters and undergoes refinements in their hands. Its shape continues to be popular down to the period of the later Apulian wares, as well as the black-painted wares of the fourth and third century.
Term: The word kantharos means "dung beetle"; it also was the name used to describe a cup of this shape in ancient times: Athenaios, 11.473d lists the kantharos among the drinking cups and describes it as resting on "a thin-stemmed, broad-based foot."
- Athenaios, 11.473d
- Type A Kantharos
- Type B Kantharos
- Type C Kantharos
- Kylix
- Kotyle
- Skyphos
- Kyathos cup
The type A kantharos is distinguished by its high stemmed -foot, which is set off from the bowl by a narrow fillet, and the straight sides of the bowl. The lower part of the bowl, which forms a low shallow curve, is set off from the high straight sides. The high curving handles reach above the level of the lip.
- Kantharos
- Type B kantharos
- Type C kantharos
- Kotyle
- Skyphos
A kantharos whose handles do not reach above the lip. These handles are slightly looped and reach from the lip to the lower part of the bowl. The walls of the bowl tend to have a slightly concave profile and are distinctly set off from a low shallow bowl. The short-stemmed foot is set off from the bowl by a wide fillet.
- Kantharos
- Type A kantharos
- Type C kantharos
- Kotyle
- Skyphos
This kantharos, with its upright vertical handles, has a deep bowl, with the lip and the bowl forming a continuous curve. The high handles, which reach above the level of the lip, turn slightly in towards the lip. The foot is low and has a wide fillet at the join of the stem to the bowl.
- Kantharos
- Type A kantharos
- Type B kantharos
- Kotyle
- Skyphos