GREEK POTTERY KANTHAROS - DRINKING CUP

Ca. 3rd century AD
A pottery kantharos with a stemmed cup design, featuring a flaring rim, a tapering body, and a pedestalled foot. Notably, it is adorned with two high, sweeping ear-shaped handles, meticulously fashioned. The kantharos, a vessel with its origins in ancient Greece, served multiple functions within the context of ceremonial and convivial practices. Primarily, it was employed for the consumption of wine, an integral element in various religious and social gatherings. The flaring rim facilitated easy pouring of the precious libation, while the stemmed cup design allowed for a firm grip, ensuring stability during the ceremonial libation or convivial feasts.
Size: L:115mm / W:130mm ; 205g
Provenance: Property of a central London Gallery; formerly in a South English estate collection; acquired in the 1990s from Andre de Munter, Brussels, Belgium; previously in and old European collection.
Estimate: GBP 400 - 600