The pose of the figure, appearing to lean back, may refer to the typically Greek and Roman practice of reclining to dine, drink, and converse. We can imagine the youth lying back on a kline (“dining couch”) to enjoy a feast with his companions. All Greek sculpture was originally produced in polychrome, and the traces of original pigmentation still visible on this terracotta figure provide insight into how Greek statuary might once have been decorated.
To find out more about different types of Greek vessel please see our relevant blog post: Collecting Greek Vases.