Terracotta fragment of a stamnos (jar)
Unknown Artist
470–450 BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Greek, Attic · 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
2011.604.2.168
Art Historical Context
This terracotta fragment from a stamnos, a two-handled jar used in ancient Greek households for mixing serving wine, dates to Classical period (470–450 BCE). Crafted in Attic Greece—Athens' vibrant artistic heart—this piece reflects the pinnacle of red-figure pottery, where figures were painted in natural red clay against a black-gloss background. Though only a fragment survives, it offers a glimpse into everyday luxury and symposia culture, where such vessels were essential for social rituals. Attic potters mastered terracotta firing techniques, achieving durable, glossy surfaces through com...