Terracotta Pyxis in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, February 2008

Terracotta Pyxis (cosmetic box)
East Greek, red-figure, Classical, 1st half of the 5th century BC
Said to be from Rhodes

Accession # 06.1116

The pyxis is inscribed in the Doric dialect of Greek, used in south-west Asia Minor and the neighboring island of Rhodes. Although there are difficulties in interpreting the metrical text, it may be taken to say, "Brasia is the most beautiful on earth- so it seems to me," followed by the names of four Greek gods, Zeus, Hermes, Artemis, and Athena. Brasia may be the name of a well-known hetaira (courtesan).

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art electronic kiosk in the study collection.