Terracotta bell-krater (bowl for mixing wine and water)
Unknown Artist
late 5th century BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Dimensions
H. 9 3/16 in. (23.3 cm)
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Greek, Boeotian · Classical
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Arthur L. Gale, 1949
Accession Number
49.94.2
Tags
Art Historical Context
This charming terracotta bell-krater hails from Boeotia, a region in central Greece, crafted in the late 5th century BCE during the Classical period. Shaped like an inverted bell, it served as a practical vessel for mixing wine with water—a key ritual in ancient Greek symposia, the all-male drinking parties where philosophy, poetry, and politics flowed freely. Standing just 9 3/16 inches (23.3 cm) tall, its modest size suggests it was suited for intimate gatherings, embodying the everyday elegance of Greek domestic life. Boeotian potters were renowned for their distinctive vases, often featur...