Terracotta pyxis (cosmetic box)

Unknown

1st half of 5th century BCE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

The pyxis is inscribed in the Doric dialect of Greek, used in south-west Asia Minor and the neighboring island of Rhodes. Although there are difficulties in interpreting the metrical text, it may be taken to say "Brasia is the most beautiful on earth—so it seems to me," followed by the names of four Greek gods, Zeus, Hermes, Artemis, and Athena. Brasia may be the name of a well-known hetaira (courtesan).

Artist

Unknown

Date

1st half of 5th century BCE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

East Greek

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1906