Etruscan Pottery Kantharos






Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
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Etruscan kantharos, pottery, dating to the 7th–5th century B.C., in good restored condition, with dimensions 120 mm × 220 mm × 155 mm, provenance from an European private collection and Galerie Hydra (1985), acquired in 2026 in the Netherlands, and supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity and an EU export licence.
Description from the seller
ITEM: Kantharos
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Etruscan
PERIOD: 7th - 5th Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 120 mm x 220 mm x 155 mm
CONDITION: Good condition, restored
PROVENANCE: Ex European private collection, Ex Galerie Hydra (1985)
A kantharos is a type of ancient Greek cup used for drinking. Although almost all surviving examples are in Greek pottery, the shape, like many Greek vessel types, probably originates in metalwork. In its iconic "Type A" form, it is characterized by its deep bowl, tall pedestal foot, and pair of high-swung handles which extend above the lip of the pot. The Greek words kotylos (κότῦλος, masculine) and kotyle (κοτύλη, feminine) are other ancient names for this same shape.
The kantharos is a cup used to hold wine, possibly for drinking or for ritual use or offerings. The kantharos seems to be an attribute of Dionysos, the god of wine, who was associated with vegetation and fertility.
As well as a banqueting cup, they could be used in pagan rituals as a symbol of rebirth or resurrection, the immortality offered by wine, "removing in moments of ecstasy the burden of self-consciousness and elevating man to the rank of deity."
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and European Union export license
If you bid outside European Union and win the item, we must request a new export license to your country and the shipment will delay between 3 - 5 weeks and the new licence will have a cost of 5% of the value of the item won
Seller's Story
ITEM: Kantharos
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Etruscan
PERIOD: 7th - 5th Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 120 mm x 220 mm x 155 mm
CONDITION: Good condition, restored
PROVENANCE: Ex European private collection, Ex Galerie Hydra (1985)
A kantharos is a type of ancient Greek cup used for drinking. Although almost all surviving examples are in Greek pottery, the shape, like many Greek vessel types, probably originates in metalwork. In its iconic "Type A" form, it is characterized by its deep bowl, tall pedestal foot, and pair of high-swung handles which extend above the lip of the pot. The Greek words kotylos (κότῦλος, masculine) and kotyle (κοτύλη, feminine) are other ancient names for this same shape.
The kantharos is a cup used to hold wine, possibly for drinking or for ritual use or offerings. The kantharos seems to be an attribute of Dionysos, the god of wine, who was associated with vegetation and fertility.
As well as a banqueting cup, they could be used in pagan rituals as a symbol of rebirth or resurrection, the immortality offered by wine, "removing in moments of ecstasy the burden of self-consciousness and elevating man to the rank of deity."
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and European Union export license
If you bid outside European Union and win the item, we must request a new export license to your country and the shipment will delay between 3 - 5 weeks and the new licence will have a cost of 5% of the value of the item won
Seller's Story
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The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
