Terracotta fragment from the rim of a vase

2nd half of the 3rd century CE

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 171

According to myth, Zeus fell in love with Europa, the daughter of a Phoenician king, and disguised himself as a bull to carry her across the sea to Crete on his back. On Crete, Zeus made love to Europa, producing two or three children, including the legendary king of Crete, Minos. Many depictions of the myth of Europa and the bull occur in Roman times, particularly on red-glaze, sigiliata pottery such as this piece.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Terracotta fragment from the rim of a vase
Period: Late Imperial
Date: 2nd half of the 3rd century CE
Culture: Roman
Medium: Terracotta; black-glaze
Dimensions: W. 4 15/16 in. (12.5 cm.)
Classification: Vases
Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Object Number: 17.194.2077
Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

More Artwork

In the same gallery

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Glass jug, Glass, Roman — Glass jug
Roman
late 1st–2nd century CE

Glass jug, Ennion Roman, Glass, Roman — Glass jug
Ennion
1st half of 1st century CE

Porphyry support for a water basin, Porphyry, Roman — Porphyry support for a water basin
Roman
2nd century CE

Terracotta bowl fragment depicting a boar hunt, Terracotta, Roman — Terracotta bowl fragment depicting a boar hunt
Roman
1st half of 1st century CE

Terracotta bowl fragment, Terracotta, Roman — Terracotta bowl fragment
Roman
2nd century AD

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.