Terracotta phiale (libation bowl)

late 6th century BCE

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 154

This type of shallow bowl with a central knob to aid in handling was used to pour liquid offerings to the gods. At a symposium (drinking party), the first wine from every newly filled krater was dipped out in a phiale and offered to the gods.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Terracotta phiale (libation bowl)
Period: Archaic
Date: late 6th century BCE
Culture: Greek, Attic
Medium: Terracotta; black-figure
Dimensions: H. 1 13/16 in. (4.6 cm)
diameter 7 1/4 in. (18.4 cm)
Classification: Vases
Credit Line: Purchase, Mrs. Helen H. Mertens Gift, 1973
Object Number: 1973.11.3
Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

More Artwork

In the same gallery

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Bell, Leaded bronze, Greek — Bell
Greek
3rd or 4th century BCE (?)

Terracotta phiale (libation bowl), Terracotta, Etruscan — Terracotta phiale (libation bowl)
Etruscan
ca. 250–200 BCE

Marble statue of a kouros (youth), Marble, Naxian, Greek, Attic — Marble statue of a kouros (youth)
Greek, Attic
ca. 590–580 BCE

Cauldron attachment: bull's head, Bronze — Cauldron attachment: bull's head
ca. 7th century BCE

Terracotta tondo from a phiale (libation bowl), Terracotta, Greek, South Italian, Campanian, Calenian — Terracotta tondo from a phiale (libation bowl)
Greek, South Italian, Campanian, Calenian
3rd century BCE

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 contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.