Terracotta fragment of a pot; unglazed on the inside
Unknown Artist
5th century 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
2011.604.2.2034
Art Historical Context
This terracotta fragment from a pot, unglazed on the inside, a glimpse into everyday life in ancient Attic Greece during the5th century BCE, pivotal era bridging the Archaic and Classical. Dating to the height of Athens' Golden Age—marked by democracy, philosophy, and the Parthenon's construction—this piece hails from Attica, the region renowned for its masterful pottery workshops. As a vase fragment, it exemplifies the ubiquitous terracotta vessels used for storage, transport, and rituals, often exported across the Mediterranean. Terracotta, fired clay valued for its durability and affordabi...