Terracotta group of women seated around a well head

Greek, Tarentine

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 162

Incense burners (Greek thymiateria) were important cult implements throughout the ancient Mediterranean world. This South Italian terracotta example of the second half of the 4th century B.C. is exceptionally complex and rare: five women crowned with flowers are shown around a wellhead. The iconography reflects a local cult, probably that of Demeter and Kore who were widely worshipped in Southern Italy and Sicily at the time.

Terracotta group of women seated around a well head, Terracotta, Greek, Tarentine

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Terracotta group of women seated around a well head, Terracotta, Greek, Tarentine
Terracotta group of women seated around a well head, Terracotta, Greek, Tarentine
Terracotta group of women seated around a well head, Terracotta, Greek, Tarentine

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