Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Terracotta refers to clay-based ceramics that have been fired at low temperatures. It can be used to create sculptures, pottery, or architectural elements such as roof tiles.
Related terms
Sculpture: Three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or carving materials such as clay, stone, or metal.
Pottery: Objects made from clay that are shaped and fired to create functional items like bowls, vases, or plates.
Roof tiles: Flat or curved pieces made of terracotta used to cover the roofs of buildings for protection against weather elements.