As happened in the Etrurian costal towns, the aristocracy of the small inland centres such as Poggio Buco (Grosseto), from where these vessels come, was affected by a phenomenon known as "orientalizing". Starting from the late 8th century B.C., it marked a radical change in Etruscan taste, introducing a vogue for models and behaviour emulating the refined Oriental courts. The "symposium" occupied a place of great importance. Many of the objects employed to prepare the banquet have been found in houses as well as tombs.

In the midst of the "Orientalizing" age, the ritual of the symposium was introduced into Etruscan aristocratic society, confirming its contacts with the Greek world. The symposium was a real status symbol of wealth and prestige. A new and distinctive feature of the Etruscan banquet was the participation of women, in blatant violation of the Greek rule that convivial life should be the exclusive prerogative of men. "The women dine next to anyone they like, drink to the health of anyone they want, and are great drinkers", recorded the Greek historian Theopompus.