The Harvester Vase from the Royal Villa of Hagia Triada in the Mesara is a vessel of black steatite which takes its name from the relief scene on its upper half. The vase was made in three pieces, of which the upper part of the body and the neck are preserved today. The multi-figured scene carved in low relief on the shoulder of the vase depicts a procession of men carrying agricultural implements for harvesting and winnowing, walking and singing to the rhythm of a sistrum. The sistrum, a ritual rattle inspired by Egyptian instruments, is being shaken by one of the men in the procession. All the figures are looking right, except for one who is looking back and laughing at someone who has fallen down, a detail typical of the lively realism of the scene. At the head of the procession is a man holding a staff who is dressed differently to the rest, in a long garment. He is probably an official or a priest. The scene probably depicts an event forming part of a rural religious festival. The vase may have been used in this context, as it is actually a rhyton, a special vessel with holes at top and bottom for pouring ritual libations. This vessel from Hagia Triada belongs to a category of stone vases with relief religious scenes, which were produced in palatial stone-working workshops, probably at Knossos. Two other examples, the Boxer Rhyton and the Chieftain Cup, were also found at the Royal Villa of Hagia Triada.