Terracotta column-krater (bowl for mixing wine and water)
ca. 470–460 BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Dimensions
11 7/16 × 11 1/4 in. (29 × 28.5 cm)
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Greek, Attic · Classical
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1934
Accession Number
34.11.7
Tags
Art Historical Context
This terracotta column-krater, created around 470–460 BCE by the Orchard Painter, is a fine example of Athenian vase painting from the early Classical period. Standing just over eleven inches tall, the vessel was designed for mixing wine and water at symposia, its sturdy column-like handles making it both practical and elegant. The red-figure technique allows for nuanced rendering of drapery and anatomy, reflecting the artistic advances that followed the Persian Wars as Greek artists explored more naturalistic forms. The decoration features the hero Jason alongside the goddess Athena, surroun...