KORKYRA. Korkyra. Circa 400-338 BC. (Bronze, 16 mm, 2.89 g, 7 h). Dionysos riding on back of panther charging to right, brandishing thyrsos in his right hand. Rev. KOP Satyr standing to right, holding up amphora from which he fills krater with wine. BMC 187-92. HGC 6, 91. Joy 322. Green patina. Light earthen deposits, otherwise, good fine.
Ex Spink (NY), 7 December 1999, 612.
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.