Terracotta pyxis (box)
Unknown Artist
ca. 400 BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Dimensions
Other: 2 3/4 x 4 5/8 in. (7 x 11.7 cm)
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Greek, Attic · Classical
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1906
Accession Number
06.1021.122a, b
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate terracotta pyxis, lidded box, hails from Attic Greece around 400 BCE, during the Classical period—a golden age of Athenian art and culture marked by ideals of harmony, proportion, and human beauty. Measuring just 2¾ x 4⅝ inches, this petite vessel was likely used by women to store cosmetics, jewelry, or perfumes, offering a glimpse into everyday life in ancient Athens. Crafted in terracotta, a fired clay favored for its durability and versatility, it exemplifies the exquisite pottery tradition of the region, where potters and painters collaborated to create functional yet ornate ...