Terracotta fragment of a kylix: Band cup (drinking cup)

Art Historical Context

This terracotta fragment from a kylix, or band cup—a shallow drinking vessel with horizontal bands of decoration—offers a glimpse into Archaic Greek life around the mid-6th century BCE Crafted in Attic workshops near Athens, these cups were essential for symposia, lively social gatherings where elite men reclined, drank wine, and discussed philosophy or politics. The fragment's survival highlights the durability of terracotta, fired clay painted with mineral-based slips, a technique that allowed vibrant scenes to endure for millennia. Though incomplete, the piece likely features horses, a mot...