Terracotta fragment of a kylix (drinking cup)
Unknown Artist
490–470 BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Greek, Attic · Late Archaic/Early Classical
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Dietrich von Bothmer, Distinguished Research Curator, Greek and Roman Art, 2011
Accession Number
2011.604.1.3251
Art Historical Context
This terracotta fragment from a kylix, or shallow drinking cup, hails from Attic Greece during the Late Archaic to Early Classical period (490–470 BCE).ed in fired clay, it exemplifies the exquisite pottery tradition of ancient Athens, a hub of artistic innovation amid the Persian Wars. Kylikes like this were essential at symposia—lively social gatherings where elite men reclined, drank wine, and debated philosophy or politics. Even as a fragment, it offers a glimpse into daily elite life and the era's burgeoning cultural confidence. Attic vases from this time are celebrated for their painted...