Terracotta fragment of a kylix (drinking cup)
Unknown Artist
520–500 BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Greek, Attic · Archaic
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
2011.604.1.6134
Art Historical Context
This terracotta fragment from a kylix, or shallow drinking cup, hails from Attic Greece during the late Archaic period (520–500 BCE). Crafted by an unknown artist, it exemplifies the exquisite pottery tradition of ancient Athens, where such vessels were essential for symposia—lively social gatherings of men sharing wine, philosophy, and poetry. Though only a piece survives, it offers a tantalizing glimpse into everyday luxury and artistic mastery of the time. Attic vases like this one were typically wheel-thrown from fine clay, fired to a warm reddish hue, and often decorated with black-figur...