Terracotta hydria: kalpis (water jar)
Bride with attendants and Eros
The small Eros hovering in front of the seated woman indicates that she is a bride. She is surrounded by paraphernalia appropriate to her status and situation. Before her, an attendant holds a large fan. Behind her, another extends a plemochoe, a container for perfumed oil. This figure is remarkable for her position: she rests one foot on the mouth of the hydria standing on the floor and holds an arm akimbo. One wonders whether the woman would assume the same position if she were in front of her mistress rather than behind her.
The small Eros hovering in front of the seated woman indicates that she is a bride. She is surrounded by paraphernalia appropriate to her status and situation. Before her, an attendant holds a large fan. Behind her, another extends a plemochoe, a container for perfumed oil. This figure is remarkable for her position: she rests one foot on the mouth of the hydria standing on the floor and holds an arm akimbo. One wonders whether the woman would assume the same position if she were in front of her mistress rather than behind her.
Artwork Details
- Title: Terracotta hydria: kalpis (water jar)
- Artist: Attributed to the Washing Painter
- Period: Classical
- Date: ca. 430–420 BCE
- Culture: Greek, Attic
- Medium: Terracotta; red-figure
- Dimensions: H. 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm); diameter 9 1/8 in. (23.2 cm)
- Classification: Vases
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1922
- Object Number: 22.139.25
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Greek, Attic
mid-5th century BCE
Washing Painter
ca. 430 BCE
Washing Painter
ca. 430–420 BCE
Washing Painter
ca. 420 BCE
Washing Painter
ca. 430–420 BCE
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
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.