Terracotta fragments of closed shapes
Unknown Artist
late 6th/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
2011.604.3.2944a, b
Art Historical Context
These terracotta fragments from closed-shape vases offer a glimpse into the vibrant world of Archaic Attic pottery, crafted in ancient Athens during the late 6 to early 5th BCE. Produced in workshops that dominated the Mediterranean trade, these vessels—likely amphorae, jugs, or storage jars—served everyday purposes like holding wine, oil, or water, while also playing roles in rituals and burials. Their survival as shards speaks to the durability of terracotta, fired clay that preserved glimpses of a bustling Greek society on the cusp of the Classical era. Artistically, Attic potters of this ...