Terracotta fragment of an oinochoe (jug)
Unknown Artist
460–440 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
2011.604.2.996
Art Historical Context
This terracotta fragment from an oinochoe, or wine jug, hails from Attic Greece during the High Classical period (460–440 BCE), a golden age of artistic refinement. Oinochoai were essential vessels in ancient Greek symposia—lively social gatherings where wine was poured and stories shared. Crafted on a potter's wheel from fine clay and fired in kilns, these jugs often featured painted scenes of mythology, daily life, or heroic tales, showcasing the mastery of Attic vase-painters. Though only a fragment survives, it exemplifies the technical prowess of Classical Greek pottery: the red-figure t...