Kylix (Drinking Cup)
about 460 BCE
Medium
terracotta, red-figure
Dimensions
14.2 × 45 × 37 cm (5 5/8 × 17 3/4 × 14 1/4 in.)
Classification
drinking vessel
Department
Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
185
Art Historical Context
This elegant terracotta kylix, created around 460 BCE by the Penthesilea Painter, exemplifies the refined artistry of Classical Athens. As a drinking cup designed for use in symposia—lively gatherings where men debated philosophy, recited poetry, and enjoyed wine—this vessel reflects the central role of ceramics in ancient Greek social and ritual life. Its impressive scale, spanning 45 centimeters across, suggests it may have served both practical and display purposes, highlighting the wealth and cultural sophistication of its original owners. The Penthesilea Painter belonged to the red-figur...