Terracotta loutrophoros (ceremonial vase for water)
Attributed to the Sabouroff Painter
Bride and groom
The loutrophoros is one of the most long-lived shapes in Attic vase-painting, which speaks for the continuity of the rituals in which it was used. The scene depicts a groom leading his bride from her home to his. The telling gesture is his clasping of her wrist. In some contexts, the gesture might imply possession or coercion, but here the glances exchanged by the principals indicate a harmonious relationship. The procession to the groom's house included the marriage party; ancillary figures on the vase may be considered part of the group.
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