Vase fragment
Unknown Artist
Medium
Terracotta
Dimensions
3 1/16 × 3 5/16 × 1/4 in. (7.7 × 8.4 × 0.6 cm)
Classification
Vases
Culture
Roman, Gaul
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.194.2032
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate terracotta vase fragment hails from Roman Gaul, a encompassing much of modern-day France and surrounding regions during the Roman Empire's height (roughly 1st–4th century CE). Crafted from fired clay, a staple medium for everyday and decorative pottery, it measures just over three inches across—small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Its survival as a mere shard speaks to the fragility of ancient artifacts, yet it offers a tantalizing glimpse into provincial Roman life and artistry. The fragment's tag of "Male Nudes" hints at classical influences, where idealized nude male...