Terracotta fragment of a closed shape
Unknown Artist
6th/5th centuries BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Greek, Attic · Archaic/Classical
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Dietrich von Bothmer, Distinguished Research Curator, Greek and Roman Art, 2011
Accession Number
2011.604.6.343
Art Historical Context
This delicate terracotta fragment from a closed-shape vase hails from Attic Greece during the Archaic/Classical transition (6th/5th BCE), a golden age of pottery production in ancient Athens. Closed shapes, such as lekythoi or aryballoi, were practical vessels for storing oils, perfumes, orents, often used in rituals, burials, or as grave offerings. As a survivor from this era, it offers a glimpse into the everyday artistry of Attic workshops, where potters and painters crafted wares for both local use and export across the Mediterranean. Terracotta, fired clay valued for its durability and v...