hydria, ancient Greek water jar with three handles—two lateral for lifting, a third vertical for pouring. In shape it was similar to the amphora, the early form having a narrower shoulder, while a later one, called the kalpis, was curved at the shoulder and had a smaller vertical handle.

A hydria is a type of Greek pottery used for carrying water. The hydria has three handles. Two horizontal handles on either side of the body of the pot were used for lifting and carrying the pot. The third handle, a vertical one, located in the center of the other two handles, was used when pouring water. This water vessel can be found in both the red and black figure pottery styles. They often depicted scenes of Greek mythology, that reflected moral and social obligations.

By the mid 5th Century B.C., Greek artisans were also creating hydria from bronze, some of which were elaborately decorated with finely-detailed figures.

See also