Hydria

The Greeks believed it barbaric to drink wine undiluted, vessels such as this hydria were used to hold water to dilute wine at feasts.Red-figure wares were special purpose vessels, not intended for everyday use. They would have been used at upper class drinking parties.This small hydria vase, made in red-ware style, is painted dark maroon colour. To one side is a naked and winged male figure, almost certainly Eros (the Greek God of Love), advancing to left and holding a bunch of grapes and a mirror.