Terracotta neck-amphora (jar) 425 BC

This terracotta neck-amphora, or jar, was made by the Owl-Pillar Group, masters of clay in their time. The vessel's shape results from the coiling and smoothing of clay, coaxed into form on a spinning wheel. Its surface is sleek and dark, achieved through a complex firing process to give it that black gloss finish. Consider the labor involved in its production, from quarrying the clay to the precise control of the kiln. This wasn't just art, but skilled work, supplying functional objects in bulk. The uniformity of the Owl-Pillar Group's output suggests a workshop setting, perhaps even a proto-industrial scale. Looking closely, we see an object deeply embedded in its time, reflecting the everyday lives and economic structures of ancient society, and challenging our notions of what constitutes art.