What is "loutrophoros"

n. An Ancient Greek pottery vessel with elongated neck and two handles, used to hold water during marriage and funeral rituals.

A loutrophoros ( Ancient Greek: λουτροφόρος; Greek etymology: λουτρόν/loutron and φέρω/pherō, English translation: "bathwater" and "carry") is a distinctive type of Greek pottery vessel characterized by an elongated neck with two handles. The loutrophoros was used to carry water for a bride's pre-nuptial ritual bath, and in funeral rituals, and was placed in the tombs of the unmarried. The loutrophoros itself is a motif for Greek tombstones, either as a relief (for instance, the lekythos on the Stele of Panaetius) or as a stone vessel. There are many in the funeral area at the Kerameikon in Athens, some of which are now preserved in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.

Image:Loutrophoros Louvre CA1960.jpg|Protoattic loutrophoros by the Analatos Painter, c. 680 BC, Louvre (CA 1960) Berlin 431.JPG|Funerary loutrophoros, 510-500 BC - Keramikos Museum, Athens - Loutrophoros from the grave of Agathon and Sosykrates - Photo by Giova.jpg|Keramikos Museum, Athens, Marble loutrophoros from the grave of Agathon and Sosykrates Antikensammlung Kiel B 787 (3).jpg|Oversize ("huge") Apulian, 330 BC