Fragment of a terracotta calyx-krater (mixing bowl) 400 BC

This fragment of a terracotta mixing bowl was made by an anonymous artist in ancient Greece. The clay used to make this krater, or mixing bowl, gives it a distinctive reddish-orange color that was very popular at the time. The fragment shows the red-figure technique in which the figures are painted in red against a black background. Look closely at the details, which were added using a fine brush and a steady hand. The images were painted onto the surface before firing, and fixed in the intense heat of the kiln. This type of pottery was mass produced, involving potters, painters, and kiln workers, often enslaved people. The decoration is full of elaborate patterns and complex figurative scenes. This shows a society that valued both skilled labor and artistic expression. These objects offer a window into the economic, social, and artistic practices of the time, demonstrating how materials, making, and context all contribute to our understanding of history and culture.