Terracotta Bell Krater (bowl for Mixing Wine and Water) (c.450 BC) by Ancient Greek Pottery

Terracotta Bell Krater (bowl for Mixing Wine and Water) - Ancient Greek Pottery - c.450 BC

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Artwork Information

TitleTerracotta Bell Krater (bowl for Mixing Wine and Water)
ArtistAncient Greek Pottery
Datec.450 BC
Mediumterracotta
Art MovementClassical
Current LocationMetropolitan Museum of Art (Met), New York City, NY, US

About Terracotta Bell Krater (bowl for Mixing Wine and Water)

The “Terracotta Bell Krater (bowl for Mixing Wine and Water)” is an ancient Greek pottery piece dating back to around 450 BC. It is crafted from terracotta and features the red-figure technique, a style popular during the Classical period of Greek art. This piece falls into the genre of mythological painting, serving also as a functional utensil. Currently, it is located at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York City, NY, US.

The artwork depicted on the krater showcases figures which likely represent a scene from Greek mythology, characteristic of red-figure pottery where the figures are left in the red color of the clay, while the background is filled in with a black glaze. Red-figure pottery often includes details rendered with fine brush strokes, allowing for a high degree of detail and expressiveness in the figures, as seen in this example.

The scene on the krater is dynamic, with multiple figures interacting with each other. There seem to be both male and female figures, with the males appearing nude, a common depiction in Greek art reflecting the idealization of the human form. The females are clothed with intricately detailed drapery. One of the figures carries a staff, suggesting a scene of social or possibly ritual significance. The krater also features decorative patterns, like the meander or key pattern running along the rim and bottom edge, which add to the aesthetic value and frame the narrative scene. The artwork would have been used for mixing wine and water, an important aspect of social gatherings in ancient Greece.

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