Terracotta fragment of an amphora (jar)
Unknown Artist
second quarter of the 5th century 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
2011.604.2.1985
Art Historical Context
This terracotta fragment from an Attic amphora offers a glimpse into the vibrant of Classical Greece during the second quarter of the 5 century BCE. Hailing from Athens—the cultural heart of the period—this piece is part of a grand tradition of vase painting that adorned everyday storage jars used for wine, oil, and grain. Amphorae like this one were essential in trade and daily life, often exported across the Mediterranean, carrying stories of mythology, daily scenes, or heroic tales painted on their surfaces. Crafted in terracotta, a durable fired clay, the fragment exemplifies Attic potter...