Terracotta Hadra hydria (water jar)

Unknown

late 3rd century BCE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

inscribed on neck "AR" This Hadra hydria is somewhat unusual: its shape is slightly more attenuated then most; its lower body is glazed to the foot; and it has a twisted back handle, a less common but not altogether rare variation, seen as well on 90.9.16 nearby. The inscription may be an abbreviation of "Architheoros," a title referring to the priest of a sacred embassy, and thus may allude to the vocation of the deceased whose remains were once contained within this vessel.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 3rd century BCE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek, Ptolemaic, Cretan

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Purchase, 1890