Terracotta fragment of a kylix (drinking cup)
500–480 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
2011.604.1.6249
Art Historical Context
This terracotta fragment of a kylix, or drinking cup, dates to the late Archaic period in ancient Greece, around 500–480 BCE. Created in Athens by the vase painter Onesimos, it represents the refined pottery traditions of Attic culture where such vessels played a central role in daily life and social rituals. Kylikes were commonly used at symposia, the lively gatherings where men shared wine, conversation, and ideas, highlighting the cup’s place in both practical and communal Greek customs. As a surviving fragment rather than a complete vessel, this piece offers valuable insight into the dura...