Terracotta fragment of a kylix (drinking cup)
Unknown Artist
first quarter of the 5th century BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Greek, Attic · 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
2011.604.1.4502
Art Historical Context
This terracotta fragment from a kylix, a shallow drinking cup popular in ancient Greece, dates to the first quarter of the 5th century BCE. Hailing from Attic workshops during the Archaic to Early Classical transition, it exemplifies the exquisite pottery tradition of Athens, where potters and painters crafted vessels for everyday symposia—lively social gatherings of drinking, discussion, and entertainment. Though only a fragment survives, it invites us to envision the full cup, likely adorned with intricate red-figure or black-figure decoration depicting myths, athletes, or revelers. Attic v...