Greek ladler with lid

ITEM: Ladler with lid, fixed before the firing
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Greek
PERIOD: Hellenistic period, 3rd - 2nd Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 120 mm x 77 mm
CONDITION: Good condition. Includes certificate of galerie Günter Puhze
PROVENANCE: Ex Galerie Puhze, Germany, Ex German private collection, H.D., acquired in 1979

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 4 to 6 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the amount of the sale, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

A Greek ladle with a lid is a fascinating example of ancient functional art, combining utility with aesthetic design. These ladles, typically made of bronze or sometimes pottery, were used for serving liquids, such as wine or oil, during banquets or religious ceremonies. The lid served as a practical feature, allowing the contents to be kept clean or preventing spillage when the ladle was not in use. The design of the ladle typically featured a long handle for easy serving, a deep bowl to hold the liquid, and the lid was often attached by a small hook or hinge. These vessels were important in the context of Greek symposia, where sharing wine was a central element of social life, and such ladles were often used to distribute the wine from large storage containers.

The lids of Greek ladles were not only functional but could also feature decorative elements, reflecting the owner's wealth or social standing. Some ladles had intricately designed lids, often adorned with motifs such as mythological scenes, gods, animals, or geometric patterns. These artistic touches enhanced the ladle's aesthetic value, indicating that even everyday items in ancient Greek culture were designed with a sense of beauty and craftsmanship. While simpler versions existed for more common use, the more elaborate ladles were likely reserved for public or private feasts, and as such, they also served as symbols of status and cultural refinement.

Archaeological discoveries of Greek ladles with lids, especially in burial contexts, offer insights into ancient Greek dining customs and social practices. These ladles were sometimes placed in graves as part of funerary offerings, indicating their symbolic value in the afterlife, possibly related to providing sustenance for the deceased. The use of ladles with lids also highlights the importance of the symposion, a drinking party that was central to Greek social life, where wine was shared from large kraters and served using ladles like these.