Terracotta Hadra hydria (water jar) with figural medallion, 3rd century B.C.; Ptolemaic
Greek
H. 15 15/16 in. (40.5 cm)
Purchase, 1890 (90.9.67)
Technical Glossary
Greek
H. 15 15/16 in. (40.5 cm)
Purchase, 1890 (90.9.67)
On the body of the vase is a representation of a shield decorated with the head of the gorgon Medusa. The white slip and polychrome painting were probably added when the hydria was reused as a cinerary urn, with the shield serving to protect the remains of the deceased. Unlike the other Hadra hydria displayed here (90.9.5), this vase was probably of local manufacture.
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Related Index Terms
Geography/Place
- • Ceramic, organized by culture, Europe
- • Ceramic, organized by culture, Europe, Balkan Peninsula (including Greece)
- • Vessel, organized by culture, Europe
- • Vessel, organized by culture, Europe, Balkan Peninsula (including Greece)
Material and Technique
- • Ceramic, Painted
- • Ceramic, Painted, Europe
- • Vessel, Tall (Vase, Pitcher, Bottle)
- • Vessel, Tall, Europe
Object
Subject Matter/Theme
- • Figure, Mythological
- • Figure, Mythological, Europe
- • Figure, Mythological, Europe, Medusa
- • Funerary Art
- • Funerary Art, Europe
