Terracotta sherd from a loutrophoros 440 BC

This terracotta sherd, dating back to 440 BC, is a fragment of a loutrophoros, a large jar used to hold water for ritual washing. The fragment depicts a female figure in profile, adorned with a helmet and possibly armor, suggesting a warrior or goddess. This piece, attributed to the Group of Polygnotos, demonstrates the distinctive black-figure technique common in ancient Greek pottery, where the figures are painted in black on a red clay background. The sherd is now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offering viewers a glimpse into the artistic traditions of ancient Greece.