Collection Item – Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

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Phiale; Attributed to the Workshop of the Pittore senza Graffito; ca. 550 BCE; 167.81

From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitlePhiale

About this objectA phiale is a shallow bowl, usually with no feet or handles, that is used for libations. The Romans called them patera. Some, like this example, have a domed centre, or indentation underneath to aid in holding.

This phiale is made of a hard, smooth, pale brown clay, decorated with black and dull red slip. Around the central dome are three elongated lions, facing right. Leaf-like motifs fill the spaces around them.

Libation, making a liquid offering to a deity, was an important part of daily life for the Greeks and many other ancient cultures. It was one of the most common and simple acts of piety and religion. The most common offering was wine or scented oils, but other liquids or even grains have been used in various regions. The typical form of libation was spondȇ, the ritualised pouring of wine from a jug or bowl in the hand. Wine was poured from an oinochoe (wine pourer) into a phiale. The phiale was held out and the contents offered to the gods or spirits. A lekythos in our collection shows a woman performing this rite (JLMC 9.53). After the offering was poured, the remainder of the contents were drunk by the celebrants.

Symposium etiquette included offerings to the gods. One known order was that on the opening of the first krater of wine, the libation was made to Zeus and the Olympian gods. The first serving of the second krater was offered to the heroes, and the third (supposed to be the last) would be offered to Zeus Teleios (Zeus who Finishes) or Zeus Soter (Zeus the Saviour). Libations poured onto the ground were for the chthonic deities (of the underworld), or for the dead, and funerary scenes often show this act.

Greeks would simply stand to perform this rite, with arms raised or phiale outstretched, but the Romans are often shown performing libations over an altar, sacrificial table, or tripod. These scenes are commonly found on Roman coins, showing the piety and divine favour of the Emperor.

MakerAttributed to the Workshop of the Pittore senza Graffito

Maker RoleArtist

Date Madeca. 550 BCE

PeriodArchaic

Place MadeItaly

Place NotesTarquinia

Medium and MaterialsCeramic: Pottery

Style and IconographyEtruscan

Style and IconographyOrientalising

TechniqueThrowing (pottery technique)

TechniqueGlazing (coating process)

MeasurementsHeight 26mm; Diameter 125mm

Subject and Association KeywordsAnimals in art

Subject and Association KeywordsArt and religion

Subject and Association KeywordsNature in art

Subject and Association KeywordsSocial life and customs

Named CollectionThe James Logie Memorial Collection, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Credit LinePurchased, 1981.

Object TypeLibation vessels

Object number167.81