Vase fragment

Art Historical Context

This delicate terracotta vase fragment, originating from Roman Gaul (modern-day France and surrounding regions), offers a glimpse into everyday life in the Roman provinces during the height of the Empire. Measuring just 1 3/4 × 2 × 5/16 inches, this small shard likely once belonged to a larger vessel used for storage, serving, or ritual purposes. Its classification among vases in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Greek and Roman Art department highlights the ubiquity of terracotta pottery—fired clay that was affordable, durable, and widely produced across the Roman world. The fragment's tag as...