Artheon MuseumArtheonMuseum

Vase fragment

Unknown Artist

Vase fragment by 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

Male Nudes

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...

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