Terracotta fragment of a kylix (drinking cup)

Art Historical Context

This terracotta fragment from a kylix, a shallow drinking cup popular in ancient Greece, dates to the late Archaic period (520–500 BCE). Craft in Attica, the heart of Athenian pottery production, it exemplifies the exquisite vases that were both everyday objects and works of art. Exported across the Mediterranean, Attic wares like this one spread Greek culture far and wide, often featuring scenes from mythology, daily life, or symposia—lively drinking parties central to social bonding among elite men. Though only a fragment survives, it hints at the masterful techniques of Archaic potters: cl...