Terracotta fragments of a lid
Unknown Artist
mid-6th 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
2011.604.3.1026a–c
Art Historical Context
These delicate terracotta fragments from a vase lid, dating to the mid-6th century BCE, offer a glimpse into the vibrant world of Archaic Attic Greece. Crafted by an unknown artist during a period of artistic innovation, they belong to the height of black-figure pottery production in Athens, where potters and painters collaborated to create functional yet beautifully decorated objects. Such lids sealed storage jars, oil containers, or symposium vessels, blending everyday utility with aesthetic appeal in ancient households and rituals. Terracotta, a fired clay medium, was prized for its durabi...