Long-necked jar with perforated foot c. 5th century

This Long-necked jar with perforated foot was made by an anonymous artist. Its social and cultural context is currently unknown. The image creates meaning through its visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations, such as its shape and design. However, without knowing the country and time in which it was made, it is difficult to assess what specific features of that culture, such as geography, religion, historical events, social class, political movements, or economic structures might have influenced the artwork. It is also unknown whether the artwork comments on the social structures of its own time and whether it is self-consciously conservative or progressive, or if it critiques the institutions of art. To gain a deeper understanding of this work, the historian would need to use a range of research resources. This would allow us to understand the social and institutional context in which it was created and assess its wider significance.