A large shell in relief is cast on the interior of the handle, just above the edge that touched the lip of the krater. On the fl at plate located between the volutes and delineated by two Lesbos-style cymae, the polychromatic decoration is inlaid according to the damascening technique: palmettes and lotus flowers, whose petals and leaves are alternately made of silver or copper. The central element, which was the true handle, is decorated on either side with openwork and composite volutes, from which spring leaves and palmettes. The decoration, dominated by vegetal patterns, is extremely elaborate: the lateral sinuous stems look like two branches adorned with leaves and a large flower, composed of two tiers of semi-circular petals or a zigzagged edges. One must therefore conclude that this beautiful piece belonged to a monumental krater, or perhaps, that it was attached to a very different object, with nearly vertical walls. The profile of the stems, which is only slightly curved (seen in profile, the handle forms a very slight open arch) would not fit on the sort of vessel one would expect with this sort of handle: a container with rounded body and shoulders, such as a volute krater.

The structure and decoration of this handle are reminiscent of very old prototypes, which appear as early as the Archaic period and continue to be used throughout the 4th century and into the Hellenistic period. Despite some small breaks (the flower on the left and the leaves on the right are lost), the piece is in remarkable condition. Thin silver and red copper sheets were used for the damascened decoration. The surface of the deep brown bronze is partially covered with a green patina. This handle, whose dimensions and weight are impressive, was cast in a number of parts: the two lateral stems (used to solder the handle to the body of the vase), the central element with its rounded upper part, and the side panels decorated with volutes.

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