Terracotta fragments of oinochoai (jugs) or olpai (jugs)
Unknown Artist
6th/5th centuries 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
2011.604.3.2794a, b
Art Historical Context
These terracotta fragments of oinochoai and olpai, dating to the 6th and 5th centuries BCE, represent the refined pottery traditions of ancient Athens during the Archaic period. Produced in Attic workshops, such jugs were everyday vessels used for pouring wine or oil at symposia and religious ceremonies. Their simple yet elegant forms highlight the Greek appreciation for functional beauty, with terracotta offering a durable, widely available medium that allowed potters to create both utilitarian and finely decorated pieces. As surviving fragments, these works offer valuable glimpses into anci...