Loutrophoros

A loutrophoros - Greek : loutroforos, from loutron loutron "bathwater" and ferw phero "carry" - is a distinctive type of Greek pottery vessel characterized by an elongated neck with two handles. The loutrophoros was used to hold water during marriage and funeral rituals, and was placed in the tombs of unmarried women. The loutrophoros itself is a motif for Greek tombstones, either as a relief (for instance, the lekythos on the Stele of Panaetius) or as a stone vessel.

It is a very tall vessel with a funnel-shaped neck, set on a slender, elongated body. The foot is spreading and sometimes has no bottom. The handles reach from the shoulder to just below the lip, forming a large loop. These handles may be filled and pierced or just a plain strap. This vessel also appears in a hydria form with a third handle also reaching from the shoulder to the lip zone.