Terracotta fragment of a kylix (drinking cup)
Unknown Artist
480–460 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
2011.604.1.7747
Art Historical Context
This terracotta fragment from a kylix, or shallow drinking cup, dates to Classical Greek period (480–460 BCE) and hails from Attic workshops near Athens—the epicenter of ancient Greek pottery production. Though only a piece survives, it offers a glimpse into the refined artistry of the time, when potters and painters created vessels for everyday symposia, elite drinking parties that fostered philosophy, poetry, and social bonds. Kylikes were prized for their wide, stemmed shape, ideal for sipping wine while reclining, often decorated with vivid scenes on the interior "tondo" and exterior. Cra...