Terracotta fragment of a kylix (drinking cup)
second quarter of the 5th century BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Greek, Attic · 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
2011.604.1.6945
Art Historical Context
This terracotta fragment comes from a kylix, the shallow, two-handled drinking cup central to ancient Greek social life. Created in Athens during the second quarter of the fifth century BCE, in the Classical period, it reflects the height of Attic pottery production, when such vessels were used at symposia—lively gatherings where men shared wine, conversation, and cultural exchange. Though only a portion survives, the piece speaks to the widespread appreciation for finely crafted tableware that blended utility with artistic expression. Attributed to the Painter of Louvre G 265, the fragment e...