From Thetis' cabinet
One-Handled Kantharos with Phallic Spout, Attica, ca. 460 BC
This unique kantharos, originating from Attica, breaks with the traditional two-handled form by incorporating a single handle and a phallic-shaped spout. Such a design likely served both as a functional drinking vessel and a playful element in the context of the symposium, where humor, wit, and social interaction were central to the experience. The symbolism of the phallic spout highlights the themes of fertility, masculinity, and the celebratory spirit often associated with Dionysian rituals.
This rare piece, created for a private collection in 2004, is based on scholarly studies such as Eros Kalos, which examines the role of erotic art in Greek antiquity.
Dimensions H: 12cm, Rim D: 13cm, Max L: 22cm
Reference: Eros Kalos: An Essay on Erotic Elements in Greek Art, Nagel Publishers, Geneva, 1965, p.115.