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Wooden Icon of Mary and Jesus from Greece1973
15
An important expression of the Greek Orthodox faith is realized through icons. These beautiful images of Christ, Mary and various Saints are used both to enable prayer and as a form of prayer themselves. They may portray single images or storylines. Usually these icons are painted onto a wood base often with gold paint as part of the presentation. Candles may be burnt in the vicinity of the icons for prayer purposes.16
Greek Cup (replica). Original from the 6th century BC, Corinth.Date not available
Museum of Antiquities, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK., Canada
17
Ancient Greek Food, Drink and Pottery VesselsAncient Greek mainstays included cereals, such as wheat and barley, grapes and olives. These three items made up what is called the Mediterranean Triad. The ancient Greeks would make grapes into wine which would have spoiled without the aid of refrigeration. For the same reason olives would be made into olive oil. Grapes and olives took much time and work to produce. In fact, the olive branch was a symbol for peace because the olive tree took many years to reach maturation and could therefore not be grown while armies were pillaging the land in times of war.
18
Skyphos (replica). Original from the late 7th century BC, Corinth.Date not available
Museum of Antiquities, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK., Canada
19
Various pottery vessels were commonly used in ancient Greece for the consumption, transport and storage of food and drink products. For example, wine and water were mixed for a symposium (drinking party) in a large open vessel called a "krater." The wine in the krater could be cooled by placing another vessel, called a "psykter," filled with cold water into the wine-filled krater. Similarly, a wine-filled psykter could be cooled by itself being placed into a krater of cold water. This beverage could then be poured from a jug called an "oinochoe" and consumed from a "kantharos," "kylix," or the less glamorous "skyphos."20
Original Greek Terracotta Lekythos, from between 700 and 600 BC.Date not available
Museum of Antiquities, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK., Canada
21
In the context of a wedding, the "lebes gamikos" and "loutrophoros" were vessels which held important liquids, especially water for the ceremonial bridal bath. Some vessels did not hold food or drink at all but were used for cremation burials. Such is the case with the large one-handled flasks called white ground "Lekythoi", whose imagery often reflected some memory of the departed. Other smaller, non-funerary "Lekythoi" may have held perfumed oils.22
Original Greek Storage Amphora from the 3rd century BC, Greece.Date not available
Museum of Antiquities, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK., Canada
23
In the realm of trade "amphorae" were incredibly important vessels. These large containers were wide at their centre and tapered down often to a point at their base. They were often filled with olive oil or wine and transported great distances.24
Embroidered Yellow Apron from Crete1974
25
Modern Greek Food, Drink and Pottery VesselsThe cuisine of modern Greece continues to incorporate many of the ingredients commonly used in ancient Greek gastronomy. Vegetables, olive oil, olives, cheese and bread all remain staples of the Greek diet, with an increasing quantity of meat being consumed corresponding to advances in economic stability. Remnants of the years of Turkish domination in Greece are still apparent in the diet in such sweets as baklava. Yogurt too appears to have been especially prized by immigrants and refugees to Greece from Asia Minor. Thus, the modern Greek diet, like the ancient, comprises a delicious mixture of various locally available fresh ingredients which grow abundantly in the hospitable Mediterranean climate. This traditional Greek cuisine, though admittedly uncharacteristic of a Canadian growing climate, continues to be prized by the Greeks of Saskatoon whose various restaurant ventures have helped to shape the topography of the city, while acquainting the local population with the wonders of Mediterranean cuisine.
26
Ceramic Brandy Jugs and Six Small Cups from Crete1977
27
The Greek tradition of wine manufacturing common to the ancient world is still alive today. Wine continues to be produced throughout Greece regularly in small-scale, traditional vineyards, though some more dominant companies such as Achaia Clauss, Boutari, Kourtakis, and Tsantalis also exist. Since the 1960's the Greeks have invested greatly in new technologies for wine manufacturing. Greek vineyards are situated at latitudes between 33 and 41 degrees. As such they make up some of the world's hotter wine regions. Traditionally Greek vineyards grew bush vines, but progressively trellis systems on wires are taking over. In the 1980's hygiene was improved significantly in Greek wineries due to the use of refrigeration and stainless steel vats. An extremely common type of Greek wine is "Retsina," a resinated wine in which small pieces of resin from the Alep pine are added to the must and left in the wine until the first racking. This specific beverage is produced largely in the southern part of central Greece. |
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