Hydria

The bust of a woman forms the upper part of the vertical handle of this bronze hydria, a three-handled vessel used for carrying water. Her arms embrace the rim of the vase as she looks over the edge. Her garment, a peplos, covers her outstretched arms, which terminate in two rotellae (disk-shaped ornaments) instead of hands. Palmette motifs enhance the attachment plaque at the base of this handle, as well as those of the two side handles. Stylistic features of the woman, as well as the overall heavy form of the hydria, indicate that the vessel probably dates to about 460 B.C.

Although designed to carry water, hydriai were occasionally used or repurposed for other functions. Those of more costly bronze were highly valued and were sometimes given as dedicatory offerings to deities in sanctuaries or as prizes for victors in competitions. In other cases, bronze hydriae were used in funerals, as containers for cremated remains.