This artifact, a terracotta plaque from the 4th century BC, is housed in the Archaeological Museum of Eleusis and provides critical historical context of the Eleusinian Mysteries. The plaque measures 20 cm high, 15 cm wide, and approximately 2 cm in depth, its shallow relief made from natural red clay.
The primary scene on the plaque depicts a procession of individuals known as initiates, partaking in the Eleusinian Mysteries, an annual set of ceremonies dedicated to Demeter and her daughter Persephone. The procession is arranged diagonally with both male and female figures, with female figures identifiable by their ritualistic wreaths.
Each figure is depicted in specific activities, including carrying torches—linked to the nighttime segments of the Mysteries—and holding phiale, which are flat libation vessels typically associated with offering rituals. One figure is illustrated guiding a piglet, a symbol often affiliated with the purification rites in these ceremonies.
The upper section of the artifact depicts the Telesterion, the main ceremonial hall in Eleusis. The hall is represented as a compact building with a pediment, indicating the architectural design of these sacred locations.
In terms of physical condition, the artifact has mild damage in certain areas and minor erosions in the figures' detailing, but remains largely intact. Its palette consists of earth tones from the ochre spectrum, representing the typical aesthetics of terracotta.
