PITHARI

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Pitharia (pithoi) were large to medium-sized pottery vessels, where various types of products, such as wine, oil, olives, halloumi, honey, flour and others, were stored. The pithos makers from Foini were specialized in the production of large pitharia for the storage of wine, which were often manufactured where they were going to be used due to difficulties in transferring them upon construction. Pitharia were often classified and named based on their capacity, and as such there are pentagomara, eptagomara, etc., where 1 gomari = 16 kouzes of wine or 128 okas. The larger pitharia were fired in a kiln for up to three days, and then had their interior coated with tar and vinegar for waterproofing.

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Several pitharia were inscribed with the name of their manufacturer and date of manufacture, while they were also often decorated with relief, applique or incised motifs, such as belts, crosses, and daisies among others.