Terracotta fragment of a kylix (drinking cup)

Art Historical Context

This terracotta fragment from a kylix, a shallow drinking cup used in ancient Greek symposia, to the Late Archaic/Early Classical period (490–470 BCE). Hailing from Attic Greece—the heart of classical pottery production in Athens—it exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of the era. During this transitional time, Greek art shifted toward greater naturalism and anatomical precision, moving from the stylized forms of the Archaic period into the balanced harmony of the Classical age. Attic vases like this were not just functional but cultural treasures, often decorated with vivid scenes from mytho...