Terracotta lebes gamikos (round-bottomed bowl with handles and stand used in weddings) 430 BC

This terracotta lebes gamikos, or wedding bowl, was created by an anonymous artist. It is made of humble, earthly materials, yet its form is elegant. The red-figure technique used here involved painting figures onto the terracotta surface with a refined clay slip, which turned black during firing, contrasting with the red of the baked clay. Notice the precision of the painted details, and the care with which the potter constructed the vessel. The scenes around the bowl and stand depict wedding processions, underscoring its function. The making of such pottery was a highly specialized trade in ancient Greece, requiring skilled artisans who organized the entire production process. This piece speaks to the social context of marriage in ancient Greece, an important institution that transferred citizenship, property and status between families. The considerable labor involved, from digging clay to firing the finished work, highlights the economic and cultural importance of pottery in ancient society. Appreciating both the material and the making helps us to fully understand its enduring significance.