Psykter

Greek psykter depicting reveling satyrsReveling satyrs, Attic red-figure psykter (wine cooler) signed by Douris, c. 480 bce; in the British Museum, London.
Psykter, a wine cooler used in ancient Greece.
Psykter, a wine cooler used in ancient Greece.

Psykter, ancient Greek pottery vessel with a tall, cylindrical foot, rounded body, and short neck, used for cooling wine. Filled with wine, it could be placed inside a larger vessel, such as a krater, which had been filled with snow; or the psykter itself might be filled with snow and placed inside a larger vessel containing the wine.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Chelsey Parrott-Sheffer.
Citation Information
Article Title: Psykter
Website Name: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published: 07 November 2026
Access Date: November 14, 2026