Terracotta hydria (water jar)

Attributed to the Troilos Painter
ca. 490 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 156
Triptolemos in his winged chariot bringing wheat to mankind

Athens controlled the sanctuary of Demeter at Eleusis and claimed that the goddess had given wheat and the secrets of agriculture to Triptolemos, a local prince. Numerous Attic vases show the youth in a winged chariot setting off to spread knowledge of the cultivation of wheat.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Terracotta hydria (water jar)
  • Artist: Attributed to the Troilos Painter
  • Period: Archaic
  • Date: ca. 490 BCE
  • Culture: Greek, Attic
  • Medium: Terracotta; red-figure
  • Dimensions: H. 14 1/16 in. (35.7 cm); diameter mouth 6 in. (15.3 cm); diameter foot 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm)
  • Classification: Vases
  • Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1956
  • Object Number: 56.171.53
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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