Terracotta Hadra hydria (water jar)

late 3rd century BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 171
The body carries very faint traces of an inscription. The "L" shaped stroke indicates that the regnal year, and therefore the date of this hydria, were at one time possible to determine before the part of the inscription which included the actual year faded. Still visible however is the word "Gortinos," which tells us that the deceased came from ancient Gortyns on the island of Crete.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Terracotta Hadra hydria (water jar)
  • Period: Hellenistic
  • Date: late 3rd century BCE
  • Culture: Greek, Ptolemaic, Cretan
  • Medium: Terracotta
  • Dimensions: h. 17 7/16 in (44.3 cm); d. 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm)
  • Classification: Vases
  • Credit Line: Purchase, 1890
  • Object Number: 90.9.41
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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