The vase is attributed to the Painter of the Louvre Centauromachy. Depicted on the main side is a scene of bidding a warrior farewell. This was a very popular subject in Attic vase painting of the 5th c. BC (when Athens was involved in many wars and similar scenes were common before military campaigns).The female figure –presumably the warrior’s wife– holds a bowl filled with wine from the oinochoe in her other hand, and is ready to perform a ritual libation. Some of the wine will be spilt on the ground as an offering to the gods and the rest will be drunk by the persons present. The scene emphasises the ties linking the members of the family and the significant role of the woman in maintaining its cohesion. The simple composition and the penetrating gaze underline the seriousness of the moment and the pain of departure. The libation bowl most probably symbolises the wish for the warrior’s safe return, although it has been suggested that the aim of the libation is to ensure the prosperity of the house. Depicted on the secondary face of the vase are three himation-clad youths in a scene of conversation. The pelike is a variation of the amphora, but is usually smaller with everted rim and the maximum diameter in the lower part of the body. The shape appeared around 520 BC and occurred until the 4th c. BC. In all likelihood the ancient name of this vase was stamnos or stamnion and, as we learn from various representations, it was used for storing (perfumed?) oil, possibly because of its broad stable base.