Terracotta jar with nautiluses

Unknown

ca. 1400–1300 BCE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

Three nautiluses, a type of marine mollusk, float among the rocks and plants of the sea floor on this large storage jar. The decoration reflects the importance of the sea for the Mycenaeans, whose goods circulated throughout the Mediterranean world. Transport vessels like this one have been discovered from Spain to the Levant, indicating the presence of an extensive trade network, but their contents—including oil, wine, and other perishable commodities—were probably the main items of exchange.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1400–1300 BCE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Helladic, Mycenaean

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1914