Terracotta Banquet Group

Unknown

ca. 3rd–2nd century BCE · terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

A nuptial banquet takes place on a lavishly decorated and furnished couch (kline). The man reclining at the far right raises a wine jug, while the female, seated at the front edge of the couch, once played a lyre. Two child Erotes join the young couple and all participants are crowned with ivy leaves and wreaths. Exceptional for its three-dimensionality, ornate style and preservation of polychromy, this group visualizes the semantic overlap in Greek thought and art between the bridal and the death kline and the role of lyre music as expression of marital love.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 3rd–2nd century BCE

Medium

terracotta

Culture

Greek

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Purchase, Patricia and Marietta Fried Gift, 2016