Greek ladler with decoration, Ex Bonhams

ITEM: Ladler with decoration
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Greek
PERIOD: 4th Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 45 mm x 75 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex German private collection, acquired in 2004 from Galerie Puhze, Ex Bonhams, London, 7 november 2002, Lot 390

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

Greek ladlers, or kyathoi, were specialized vessels used for serving wine, often in symposia (drinking gatherings) where wine was mixed with water in a larger krater. These ladlers featured a deep, rounded bowl with a single elongated handle, allowing for easy pouring into individual cups. Though originally a functional implement, kyathoi were often decorated with intricate designs, reflecting the artistic trends of their time. They appeared in both black-figure and red-figure techniques, especially in the Archaic and Classical periods, with scenes depicting mythological narratives, Dionysian revelry, or everyday activities.

The decoration on Greek kyathoi often carried symbolic meanings, particularly in relation to Dionysus, the god of wine and festivity. Many examples feature satyrs, maenads, and grapevines, reinforcing the vessel’s connection to drinking and ritual. Some were adorned with more geometric or floral motifs, particularly in later periods when naturalistic designs gained popularity. The artistry varied depending on the production center; Athenian potters were known for their fine detail and narrative compositions, while South Italian versions sometimes incorporated added colors like white and red to enhance visual contrast.

Although kyathoi were less common than kylixes (drinking cups) or oinochoai (wine jugs), they played an essential role in the symposium setting, demonstrating the ritualized nature of Greek drinking culture. Some examples have been found in funerary contexts, suggesting they were also placed in tombs as grave goods, likely as offerings for the deceased’s afterlife feasting. The presence of decorated kyathoi across different regions, including Etruscan tombs, highlights their role in trade and cultural exchange, making them an important artifact in understanding ancient Greek social and artistic traditions.