volute krater
A wine-mixing vessel with a wide mouth, a deep, broad body and volute-shaped handles. Shape: The characteristic handles consist of ordinary looped handles, which are attached horizontally to the shoulder of the vessel; from the top of these looped handles a broad strap which has flanges and sometimes ribbed sides rises vertically to form an elaborate volute above the rim of the vase. The mouth is slightly set off from the wide neck. History: Possibly derived from the column krater ( though the volute krater's neck is higher), it is not a very common shape. The form may have been inspired by Peloponnesian bronze vessels. The shape appears before the end of the seventh century and continues until the late fourth century B.C. The Francois Vase is the earliest Athenian volute krater preserved complete. It is thought that the ancient name "Laconian krater" belongs to this shape. Term: So called in modern times for the form of its handles.
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