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Skyphos

by Stable MARK

The skyphos is one of the classic drinking vessels of ancient Greece. With its deep bowl and twin handles, it played a central role in wine rituals and everyday life.

Ancient Greek black-figure skyphos depicting a centaur in motion, centered between two large circular shield-like patterns, with twin handles.
Image: Attic black-figure skyphos with a centaur motif, circa 500 BCE. The vessel shows a rearing centaur flanked by stylized shield decorations. Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM) Vienna.
Source: by Stable MARK - own work.

Discover the skyphos and its role in ancient Greek culture. This article offers a clear overview of its form, meaning, and use — with many examples and visual comparisons of Greek drinking vessels from the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna.

What is skyphos?

Black-glazed ancient Greek skyphos with a red-figure depiction of an owl, flanked by vertical decoration; two handles on each side.
Image: Owl skyphos from the 4th century BCE, created after an Attic model. The vessel features a stylized depiction of an owl, associated with Athena and wisdom. Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna (KHM).
Source: by Stable MARK - own work.

The skyphos (Ancient Greek: σκύφος, pl. skyphoi) is a deep, two-handled drinking cup used for wine in Ancient Greece. Characterized by a low foot or no foot at all, the cup has either horizontal thumbhold handles or loop handles. Skyphoi appear from the Geometric period onward and were produced well into the Hellenistic era.

In stock
Roman Silver Kantharos Cup Skyphos
Roman Silver Kantharos Cup Skyphos
Roman Silver Kantharos Cup Skyphos
Roman Silver Kantharos Cup Skyphos
Roman Silver Kantharos Cup Skyphos
Roman Silver Kantharos Cup Skyphos

Roman Silver Kantharos Cup Skyphos

Year 2024
$ 10450
Ref: 11VN9000
Roman silver skyphos with animal combat relief, 2nd century AD, partially gilded, exhibited at the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna.
Image: Roman silver skyphos from the 2nd century AD, partially fire-gilded, featuring a relief scene with a griffin and deer. Displayed at KHM Vienna.
Source: by Stable MARK - own work.

While the shape remained consistent over time, decorative styles evolved—ranging from black-figure and red-figure techniques to more elaborate figural scenes. Skyphoi were made from clay, silver, or gold, with rare examples like cameo glass known from Roman times.

In stock
Roman Silver Skyphos Cup Kantharos
Roman Silver Skyphos Cup Kantharos
Roman Silver Skyphos Cup Kantharos
Roman Silver Skyphos Cup Kantharos
Roman Silver Skyphos Cup Kantharos
Roman Silver Skyphos Cup Kantharos

Roman Silver Skyphos Cup Kantharos

Year 2022
$ 10450
Ref: 18VN9000
Ancient red-figure skyphos with two rearing goats facing a central tree motif; black-glazed surface with twin handles.
Image: Italian red-figure skyphos from the 4th century BCE, depicting two goats rearing up on either side of a stylized tree. Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna (KHM).
Source: by Stable MARK - own work.

Skyphoi served both practical and ceremonial functions, especially during symposia. A famous variation is the glaux (Greek for owl), which features one horizontal and one vertical handle.

Red-figure Greek skyphos showing an elderly Priam approaching Achilles, who reclines on a couch; Hector’s body lies beneath, and a servant stands with a wine strainer.
Image: Scene from Homer’s Iliad: Priam pleading with Achilles for Hector’s body — detail on a red-figure skyphos by the Brygos Painter, ca. 490 BCE. Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna (KHM).
Source: by Stable MARK - own work.

Skyphoi, alongside other drinking vessels like Kylix, Kantharos, Phiale (Patera), and Rhyton, form a central part of Ancient Greek pottery typology.

Exhibit graphic showing outlines of ancient Greek drinking cups: kylix, skyphos, kantharos, and rhyton, used for wine consumption.
Image: Typology of ancient Greek drinking vessels: Kylix, Skyphos, Kantharos, and Rhyton — museum panel from Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna.
Source: by Stable MARK - own work.

What does the Greek word skyphos mean?

The Greek word σκύφος (skyphos) literally means “cup” or “drinking bowl”.

Ancient Greek red-figure skyphos with two handles, showing a winged figure (Zephyros) reaching toward Hyacinth seated on a large swan in motion.
Image: Attic red-figure skyphos, ca. 470 BCE, showing Hyacinth on a swan accompanied by Zephyros — a rare mythological motif of love and flight. Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna (KHM).
Source: by Stable MARK - own work.

What is the plural form of skyphos?

The plural is skyphoi (σκύφοι in Greek).

Ancient Greek red-figure skyphos depicting Zeus seated with a scepter and Athena standing, holding a jug, both in fine ceremonial dress.
Image: Attic red-figure skyphos (ca. 480–470 BCE) showing Zeus seated on a throne and Athena offering a jug, symbolic of divine hierarchy and ritual. Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna (KHM).
Source: by Stable MARK - own work.

What is skyphos used for?

Skyphoi were primarily used for drinking wine, especially during symposia (social drinking gatherings).

Early Greek skyphos or kotyle with conical body, horizontal handles, and incised linear and fan decorations; dark slip surface.
Image: Geometric kotyle (skyphos) with faint fan-ornament bands, dated to the third quarter of the 7th century BCE. Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna (KHM).
Source: by Stable MARK - own work.
Decorative silver skyphos with high-relief figures, grape clusters, and mythological motifs in Dionysian style; two loop handles and a fluted pedestal base.
Image: Silver skyphos with elaborate repoussé decoration featuring Dionysian figures and grapevine motifs, inspired by Roman luxury vessels.
Source: by Stable MARK - own work.
Two-handled ancient skyphos with a red-figure depiction of an owl and leaf motifs, Campanian style, black-glazed surface, 4th century BCE.
Image: Campanian red-figure skyphos with stylized owl motif, second half of the 4th century BCE. A classic example of South Italian vase painting. Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna (KHM).
Source: by Stable MARK - own work.

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