This graceful vase, known by its shape as "oinochoe" (ee-no-hoy), was used for the drawing and pouring of liquids like water and wine. In fact the root of the word "oinochoe", "oinos", is the ancient Greek word for wine. The mouth is pinched in three areas, so the exact type of vase is said to be a "trefoil oinochoe" with a red figure painting, decorative to embellish banquet tables.

The scene on this vase depicts a Dionysian event. Dionysus, the god of wine, was called upon at all events that included revelry, wine, music and dance. The three men on this vase are carrying drinking vessels and a large storage amphora, and two men have legs and arms akimbo in dance. The bearded revelers are captured in 3/4 view, and fine black musculature lines attempt to show the body straining in its motion. The falling robes on two of the men offer a sensual, dishabille softness that contrasts with the hardness and mass of their bodies. An acanthus leaf frieze encircles the shoulder of the vase, and an acanthus design is on the back of the vase, a very common filler ornament coming to Greece from the Orient.

The red figure style of painting developed popularity in Athens in the early 500's b.c. The figures were outlined and reserved while the rest of the vase was painted and fired black to dark brown. The figures retained the original terracotta dolor of the clay. Black glaze was used to sketch in details like muscles and clothing folds, and then the figures were often dabbed with small amounts of other colors to add shading, or to brighten the red effect.