Terracotta fragment of a kylix (drinking cup)
Unknown Artist
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
2011.604.1.7037
Art Historical Context
This terracotta fragment from a kylix, or drinking cup, hails from Attic Greece during the late Archaic period (500–480 BCE). Produced in Athens, the heart of ancient Greek pottery-making, kylikes were essential for symposia—lively social gatherings where elite men reclined, drank wine, and discussed philosophy or poetry. Though only a fragment survives, it offers a glimpse into the refined craftsmanship of Attic vase painters, who decorated these vessels with vivid scenes from mythology, daily life, or athletic pursuits. Terracotta, fired clay, was the medium of choice for these durable yet ...