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Excavated in southern Italy, the water jug known as Meidias Hydria, considered to be a masterpiece of the Athenian potter Meidias, became part of the British Museum collection 250 years ago and has not left the London museum until now.

One of the seized objects, a 19-inch-high terra-cotta hydria, or water jar, depicting the deeds of Hercules, appeared on the cover of the museum’s 2012 catalog.

In the second niche, is a Hydria with Minerva and Hercules, from Vulci.

Pelike, pel′i-kē, n. a large vase like the hydria, double-handled.

Hydria, hī′dri-a, n. a large Greek water-vase.—n.