Scaphium (vessel)

Scaphium (Ancient Greek: Σκάφιον or Σκαφεῖον) was a shallow vessel without a handle. It was called like that because it was shaped like a small boat (σκάφιον in Greek was a small boat, for example a skiff).

These vessels could be:

• Drinking cup
• Vessel which was used for dipping and pouring water over the body in the bath
• A primitive substitute for a concave mirror or burning-glass used to relight the sacred fire
• Chamber pot
• Concave sundial
• The reservoir of a Water clock