Terracotta neck-amphora of Nicosthenic shape (jar) 510 BC

This terracotta neck-amphora, a jar of Nicosthenic shape, was made by the Class of Cabinet des Médailles 218. The jar's shape is a feat of hand-thrown clay, its walls evenly thin, its curves swelling and tapering with controlled grace. Once formed, the terracotta was fired to a warm, porous orange. The vase was then painted using a slip, which is a liquid clay, to create the figures and the decorative elements. These areas, now black, were applied with the precision of a practiced hand. The scenes of conflict and mythology aren't just painted; they're built into the identity of the vessel. This wasn't merely an aesthetic object, but a functional one, made for containing precious liquids. The skilled labor, the careful design, and the embedded narratives speak to a society that valued both utility and art, challenging our modern separation of craft from high culture.