vase, vessel of pottery, glass, metal, stone, wood, or synthetic
material. The pottery vase was anciently employed as a container
for water (a hydria), wine and other products (an amphora), or
oil (a lekythus), or for mixing and serving wine and water (a
crater). It had one or two handles, sometimes a lip or spout,
and frequently a base or foot; sometimes it was pointed to
thrust into the ground or was set into a frame holder for
support. Large covered vases were used for general storage
purposes. The cinerary (cremation) vase, or urn, has been common
throughout historical times, a famous one being the Portland
vase. Modern vases are widely used for flowers. Beautiful in
form and embellished with incised patterns, modeled or painted
figures or scenes, and sometimes inscriptions, the vase became a
work of art in early times. Greek painted vases are in form and
color among the most exquisite examples of ancient art. Vases or
their fragments discovered in burial chambers and through
excavations in various countr