What were amphora's used for?

Traditionally not many colours were used on Amphora. I myself only study Ancient Greek Amphora, so i cant speak for other eras and types of Amphora. There were two main forms of decoration on Ancient Greek Amphora. Red Figure and Black Figure. The main two colours of both these styles were anthenian clay red and black. Sometimes paint was added onto the amphora after it has been fired, but these were never very bright. For information on how black/red figure was achieved you will have to look on wikipedia (because I'm not a potter). But bassicaly the main colours were red, black and sometimes white.