The hydria is a water jar with three handles, two for carrying and one for pouring. They were used by Greek women to carry water from communal fountains to the house. This task usually fell to poorer women and the slaves of richer families.  

Carrying water was their main use but hydriai were also for other purposes, such as containing ashes in cemeteries and votes in ballots.

The decoration on this jar is known as 'red figure' (red figures on a black background). The technique was popular 500 to 300 BC.