acanthus
Herbaceous plant with prickly leaves; popular motif in architectural decoration.

amphora, the
from the greek words "αμφί"(on both sides) and "φέρω" (carry): vessel with long ovoid body and a considerably narrower neck made in various sizes from the smaller perfume oil container to the large storage receivers of liquids and solids. It stands on a small foot and it bears two invariable vertical handles on either side. Some of the distinguished types of the amphorae are these whose lower part is tapering to the point (narrow bottomed), the neck type, the Nicosthenian, the Nola, the Panathenaic, the Tyrrhenian, the SOS type.

anthemion (Palmette)
A floral decorative motif in the form of a palmette, very widespread in the Greek art and architecture.

bucranium, (plur. -a)
Decorative motif representing an ox killed in religious sacrifice. This motif was represented, in stone, on the frieze, or stone lintels, above the columns in Doric temples.

crater, the
from the greek verb "κεράννυμι" (to mix). Big, open vessel for mixing wine with water. The wine was then poured into oinochoae. There are various craters' forms depending on body and handle shape: column-, volute-, calyx-, and bell crater. They were usually placed in the middle of the room where symposia were held-

guilloche, the
An ornament formed of interlaced bands.

kylix, the
The most essential ancient drinking cup. It bears a wide and shallow body raised on a stem from a foot. It always has horizontal handles disposed symmetrically, often swinging upwards . The interior, flat, round bottom of the vessel was used as surface for painted decoration. There are many different types of kylikes such as the Komast type, the Siana type, types A, B, C, the Droop and the Cassel cups.

lagynos, the
Vase for the transport of wine with short, angular body, tall, narrow neck and a vertical handle. Widely diffused in the hellenistic period.

matrix, the
Mould of clay, wax or other material used for the manufacture of terracotta figurines.

oenochoe
From the greek words "οίνος" (wine) and "χέω" (pour). Ovoid, single-handled wine jug usually taller than it is wide. There have been distinguished 10 types based on variations of profile, mouth type and handle form.

pyxis, the
Small vessel with a lid. Women kept inside cosmetics or jewels. It bears no handles except for the skyphoid pyxis of Sicily.

rhyton, the
libation vessel with an outlet at the bottom of the vessel allowing the slow outflow of the liquid.

rosette, the
An ornament with a generally circular combination of parts resembling a flower or plant.

skyphos
A deep vessel with an open rim and an almost hemispherical shape.