Terracotta fragments of a column-krater (bowl for mixing wine and water)
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
2011.604.2.532a, b
Art Historical Context
These terracotta fragments come from a column-krater, a wide-mouthed bowl designed for mixing wine with water—a staple of ancient Greek symposia, or elite drinking parties. Dating to the second quarter of 5th century BCE this Attic Greek vessel hails from the Classical period, Athens' golden age under Pericles, when pottery reached extraordinary heights of refinement and storytelling. Crafted in terracotta, the clay fired to a warm reddish hue, column-kraters like this featured tall, column-like handles that made them both functional and elegant centerpieces. Though incomplete, these shards h...