Terracotta fish-plate 350 BC

This terracotta fish plate, of unknown date and authorship, presents us with a fascinating glimpse into the culinary and cultural world of its time. The painted decoration, featuring fish and other sea creatures, offers visual codes that speak to the importance of the sea as a source of food and sustenance in the ancient world. The plate’s very existence suggests a level of social organization and economic surplus, wherein specialized artisans produced goods not strictly necessary for survival. The social conditions that shaped the production of this plate are of great interest, since the imagery may reflect a society deeply connected to the sea, both economically and culturally. By examining archaeological records, trade routes, and social hierarchies, we can better understand the role of art in reflecting and shaping the values of its time.