Why Did Vases Have Handles or Rings on Sides?

Carrying

• The Greeks used a vase with handles called an amphora, whose name means that it was a container that was carried on both sides. This vase was used to carry water.

Hanging

• Vases also have been designed with a ring over the top or on the sides so they can be hung on walls or from ceilings with string, rope or hooks. Such vases may hold flowers or plants for decoration.

Pouring

• The Greeks also had a vase called a hydria for liquid storage. A hydria had three handles: Two were for carrying and one was for pouring water or other liquid out of the vessel.

Decoration

• Sometimes vases are made with rings on them simply because the designer liked how the vessel looked with them. For example, people could identify vases that the Faience Manufacturing Co. manufactured because of the style of handles those vases had.