Terracotta fragment of a plate?
Unknown Artist
7th century BCE or later
Medium
Terracotta
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Etruscan · 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
2011.604.10.240
Art Historical Context
This delicate terracotta fragment, possibly from a plate or shallow vessel, hails from Etruscan culture during theic or Classical period, dating to the 7th century BCE later. The Etruscans, an ancient civilization flourishing in central Italy from around 900 to 100 BCE, were masterful potters influenced by Greek artistry. Their vases and tableware, like this piece classified among the Met's Greek and Roman collection, served both everyday needs and ceremonial purposes, reflecting a vibrant society of traders, warriors, and artisans. Crafted from fired clay, terracotta was prized for its durab...