Terracotta fragment of a column-krater (bowl for mixing wine and water) 530 BC

This terracotta fragment of a column-krater, or bowl for mixing wine and water, was made by an anonymous artist in ancient Greece. The decoration on this piece is typical of its time: black figures painted on a reddish background, creating a striking contrast. But this was more than just decoration. The krater itself was a vital component of the symposia, or drinking parties, that were important social and political rituals for the Greek elite. These were exclusively male gatherings. Wine was heavily associated with class, gender, and power structures in Greek society. Scholars use archaeological evidence, literary sources, and of course, close formal analysis of the objects themselves, to understand the cultural values and social practices of the time. This fragment reminds us that even the humblest shard of pottery can offer insight into the complex interplay of art, ritual, and social life in the ancient world.