Terracotta krater 799 BC

This terracotta krater, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was created by the Workshop of New York MMA 34.11.2. It provides a window into the artistic and cultural practices surrounding pottery production and use. Kraters were commonly used in ancient Greece to mix wine and water, central to social and ritual practices like symposia, which were gatherings of men for philosophical discussions and entertainment. The imagery on the krater offers a narrative, possibly depicting scenes from daily life, mythology, or historical events. These scenes are rendered in a style typical of the period, characterized by geometric patterns and stylized figures. How does this representation reflect the identities and values of the society that produced it? The krater invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between art, ritual, and social identity in the ancient world.