Across human history, clay has been one of the most widespread and commonly used materials. This month, #ConnectingCollections is exploring the objects made from this incredibly versatile and important medium. An offering for the gods; essential party tools; a lamp to light your way. If you were to step back in time to the ancient Mediterranean, you would see items made from clay all around you, much like plastic today. Clay was ubiquitous and could be molded or shaped for any number of purposes. Once fired, it was lightweight and watertight, and it could be turned into domestic items, mass-produced trinkets, or even works of art. Gazing up at the rooftop of the Getty Villa today, you'll see elaborate antefixes adorning its edges. Antefixes like these were made from clay and molded into many different designs, from floral elements to mythological monsters. Like many clay objects, these were both functional and decorative because they helped protect the roof's wooden parts from dec...