Obolos 16

CORINTHIA. Corinth. Circa 375-300 BC. Stater (Silver, 20.5 mm, 8.46 g, 5 h). Q Pegasus with straight wing flying to left. Rev. Head of Aphrodite to left, wearing Corinthian helmet with a neck flap; behind neck, Δ and krater. BCD Corinth 98. Calciati 388/1 corr. HGC 4, 1848. Ravel 1001. Lightly toned and clear. A few marks, otherwise, very fine.

From the Vineyard Collection, ex Owens 39, 3 September 1998, 83.

The krater was a vase used for diluting wine with water. Greeks drank their wine diluted with water and usually infused with herbs, whereas uncouth individuals, especially barbarians, preferred their wine neat. Kraters were made from either metal or pottery and were usually ornately decorated. They generally stood on a tripod in the dining room where men held symposia, or drinking parties, often with entertainment in the form of music, poetry, and acrobatic performances, and not infrequently with more ribald acts.