Terracotta group of women seated around a well head

Unknown

2nd half of 4th century BCE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

Incense burners (Greek thymiateria) were important cult implements throughout the ancient Mediterranean world. This South Italian terracotta example of the second half of the 4th century B.C. is exceptionally complex and rare: five women crowned with flowers are shown around a wellhead. The iconography reflects a local cult, probably that of Demeter and Kore who were widely worshipped in Southern Italy and Sicily at the time.

Artist

Unknown

Date

2nd half of 4th century BCE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek, Tarentine

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Gift of Mary Jaharis, in honor of Thomas P. Campbell, 2012