Terracotta Banquet Group in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, April 2017

Terracotta Banquet Group

Period:Hellenistic

Date:ca. 3rd–2nd century B.C.

Culture:Greek

Medium:terracotta

Dimensions:9 in. (22.9 cm)

Classification:Terracottas

Credit Line:Purchase, Patricia and Marietta Fried Gift, 2016

Accession Number:2016.253

A nuptial banquet takes place on a lavishly decorated and furnished couch (kline). The man reclining at the far right raises a wine jug, while the female, seated at the front edge of the couch, once played a lyre. Two child Erotes join the young couple and all participants are crowned with ivy leaves and wreaths. Exceptional for its three-dimensionality, ornate style and preservation of polychromy, this group visualizes the semantic overlap in Greek thought and art between the bridal and the death kline and the role of lyre music as expression of marital love.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/711029