Terracotta fragment of an amphora (jar)
Unknown Artist
late 6th century BCE/early 5th century BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Greek, Attic · Archaic
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
2011.604.2.76
Art Historical Context
This terracotta fragment from an Attic amphora, dating to the late 6th or early 5th century, offers a glimpse into the vibrant of Archaic Greek pottery. Amphorae were essential two-handled jars used for storing and transporting olive oil, wine, and goods, often serving as prizes in athletic competitions like the Panathenaic games. Crafted in Attica—the heartland of ancient Athens—this piece reflects the region's dominance in ceramic production during a time when Greece was transitioning from city-states to cultural powerhouses. Though only a fragment survives, it exemplifies the technical mas...