Miniature Hydria , late 5th Century Bc

Miniature Hydria
Greek Art, Late 5th Century BCE

Black-glazed terracotta
H. 12 cm
Collection label inside the neck (225)
Two small chips under the rim

Provenance:
Parisian art market

Comparable Works:
For a miniature undecorated hydria: Cabinet des Médailles, inv.52bis.3524

A hydria is a vase used for carrying and pouring water. A miniature hydria, as the name suggests, is a scaled-down version of this type of vessel, often intended for symbolic, ritual, or decorative purposes rather than practical use.
These miniature vases highlight the skill of Greek artisans in reproducing models at varying scales while maintaining aesthetic quality. In this case, the overall balance of the volumes, the grooved border of the rim, the faceted foot, and the rich black glaze suggest a production dating to the 5th century BCE.