Terracotta Hadra hydria (water jar)

Unknown

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

The distinctive coarse red clay of this and other white-ground Hadra hydriae indicates that such vessels were made in Egypt, perhaps Alexandria since the same clay was used to make a specific type of terracotta figurine known to have been produced in this region. Although the polychrome decoration of pink and blue ribbons has now mostly faded, the original plaster seal across the mouth is intact, serving as a poignant reminder of the funerary use of this hydria.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 3rd century BCE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek, Ptolemaic, Alexandria

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Purchase, 1890