Calăthus
（
κάλυθος, τάλαθος). A Greek word though found in Roman
authors, the pure Latin word being
qualus or
qualum.
The name
calathus is applied to the following objects:
1.
A woman's work-basket, especially one that
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Slave presenting her Mistress with a Calathus.
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contained the materials for spinning. It was generally made of osiers or reeds, but
sometimes of silver; and was narrow at the bottom and broad at the top, as in the annexed
illustration taken from a painted vase (Millin).
2.
A similar basket used for carrying fruits, flowers, grain, etc.
3.
A vessel shaped like a wicker
calathus and used for holding milk; also
a wine-cup of like shape (
Georg. iii. 402).
4.
As a religious emblem, the
calathus was carried in honour of Demeter
and of Tellus as denoting abundance; and is found in connection with Athené, the
goddess of the art of weaving. Priestesses are also represented as wearing the calathus on
their heads, and in imperial times the god
Serapis
(q.v.) is thus depicted.
