Terracotta kantharos (drinking cup)
Obverse and reverse, griffins attacking a deer
The subject of griffins attacking a deer has a long history and remained popular during the Hellenistic period throughout the Mediterranean area. It may be a symbol of the inevitability of death. The handles are ribbon-like and include so-called Herakles knots, a square knot symbolic of love and power in the ancient world. In the Roman Imperial period, Herakles knots were believed to heal wounds.
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