Terracotta fragments of closed shapes
Unknown Artist
6th/5th centuries BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Greek, Attic · Archaic/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
2011.604.6.362a–c
Art Historical Context
These terracotta fragments from closed-shape vases, dating to the 6th–5th centuries BCE, a glimpse into the vibrant world of Archaic and Classical Attic pottery from ancient Greece. Produced in Athens, the heart of Attic culture, these pieces represent everyday vessels—likely amphorae, jugs, or storage jars—crafted from fired clay. Though incomplete, they exemplify the technical mastery of Greek potters, who shaped durable forms for practical uses like storing wine, oil, or grains, while often adorning them with painted scenes of mythology, daily life, or athletic prowess. Attic vases hold im...